Beverage making machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a beverage making machine comprising a first beverage making cartridge comprising at least one of a gas source portion, the gas source portion contains a solid gas source that through sublimation emits a gas, and a gas storage tank arranged to store the gas emitted from the solid gas source. The beverage making machine further comprising a second beverage making cartridge comprising at least one of a micro ingredient, a beverage diluent receptacle for receiving a beverage diluent liquid, a dissolver dissolves portion of the gas, from the gas storage tank, into the beverage diluent liquid, and a dispenser selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of at least one of the micro ingredient and the beverage diluent liquid, to form a beverage. Exemplary embodiments include a computer control arranged to receive a beverage selection from a consumer and control the beverage making machine to form beverages.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is being filed as a continuation application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/913,211, filed Jun. 7, 2013, now allowed,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

TRADEMARKS

COCA-COLA® is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta,Ga., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be registered trademarks,trademarks or product names of The Coca-Cola Company or other companies.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a beverage making machine, and particular tothe beverage making machine comprising a first beverage making cartridgecomprising at least one of a gas source portion, the gas source portioncontains a solid gas source that through sublimation emits a gas, and agas storage tank arranged to store the gas emitted from the solid gassource. The beverage making machine further comprising a second beveragemaking cartridge comprising at least one of a micro ingredient, abeverage diluent receptacle for receiving a beverage diluent liquid, adissolver dissolves portion of the gas, from the gas storage tank, intothe beverage diluent liquid, and a dispenser selectively dispenses apredefined ratio of at least one of the micro ingredient and thebeverage diluent liquid, to form a beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Before our invention the handling of high pressure gas for the purposeof sparkling beverage making needed to be done using a heavy walledpressure vessel. In this regard, making a beverage typically involvedinfusing a gas into water to create carbonated water and then mixing thegas infused water with ingredients to form the beverage. The ingredientand water parts of the beverage were relatively easy to handle, ship,and mix on site or in a factory. The gas on the other hand, had to bedelivered to the factory in high pressure vessels by special purposevehicles and/or produced onsite in the factory. In addition, whensmaller quantities of the gas were needed to be delivered to an outlet,such as a quick serve restaurant, it was typically done by way ofbeverage company truck delivery, not a regular postal delivery service.

This model, with the costs of logistics, and need for heavy wall highpressure vessel filling, handling, and recycling can serve to abate andmake impractical gas delivery models for low volume home or officedispenser locations. In addition, there are many postal services thatban or restrict the shipment of high pressure gasses. As such a consumerwho might order supplies for a home or office dispenser might be able toreceive by postal courier the ingredients but not the high pressure gas.

Another shortcoming, is in the beverage quality of packaged or pod basedtea, coffee, and other beverage products reconstituted fromconcentrates, powders, or syrups. In this regard, by the very nature ofhow the ingredients are manufactured for package or pod based beveragesystems, the aroma is lost or added to the ingredients where it thentypically degrades before the consumer can enjoy. Aroma is a bigconsumer attribute in many beverages such as teas, coffees, and citrusbeverages to name a few; however packaged and pod based system lack theability to produce aroma rich beverages. As such, making an authentictea or fresh brewed coffee, or fresh squeezed citrus beverage frompackage or pod based system prior to our invention was difficult andoften relied on or employed unsuccessful techniques.

Another shortcoming, prior to our invention, is the ability to makebeverage making systems that deliver an array of high quality sparking(gas infused) and still (non-gas infused) beverages in a small compactform factor and equipment footprint, as to make a system well suited forsize constrained locations and countertops. Larger systems that requirelots of space for ingredients, tanks, drain tubes, ice making, and otheritems are too large for many locations and thus unsuited for many newmarket opportunities.

Another shortcoming, prior to our invention, was that there were fewoptions to turn bulk water dispensers into high quality flavored andcustomized beverages. Such bulk water type dispensers can typicallyinclude thermoses, sport type coolers, water coolers, and bulk watertank type facilities or stations often found in developing parts of theworld. With regards to water in the developing world, too often theseconsumers don't have the opportunity to experience safe clean highquality flavored beverages. As such, water treatment techniques combinedwith beverage making technology, in simple easy to use forms, is indemand and very much needed around the world.

There is a long felt need for systems and methods to delivery orotherwise be able to create high pressure gas for beverage making inconsumer's homes, office, and other outlets. There is a particular needfor being able to deliver gas supplies by the same methods as ingredientsupplies and preferably that is by way of common postal deliveryservices. There is also a long felt need to improve packaged and podbased beverage quality through the use of aroma enhancement, andimproved gas infusion techniques. Furthermore, there is great need forsmall footprint high quality beverage making systems that are adaptedfor use in size constrained locations at home, office, and elsewhere.Additionally, there is a long felt need for new ways to deliver qualitybeverage products in areas of bulk water dispensing including in areasof the world where enjoyment of refreshing beverages is not commonplace. There is a need to overcome these shortcomings mentioned above aswell as to overcome other shortcomings. All of which gives rise to thepresent invention.#1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantagesare provided through the provision of a beverage making machinecomprising a first beverage making cartridge comprising at least one ofa gas source portion, the gas source portion contains a solid gas sourcethat through sublimation emits a gas, and a gas storage tank arranged tostore the gas emitted from the solid gas source. The beverage makingmachine further comprising a second beverage making cartridge comprisingat least one of a micro ingredient, a beverage diluent receptacle forreceiving a beverage diluent liquid, a dissolver dissolves a portion ofthe gas, from the gas storage tank, into the beverage diluent liquid,and a dispenser selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of at least oneof the micro ingredient and the beverage diluent liquid, to form abeverage.

Additional shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additionaladvantages are provided through the provision of a beverage makingmachine comprising at least one of a beverage making cartridgecomprising at least one of a micro ingredient portion and a gas sourceportion, the micro ingredient portion contains at least one of a microingredient, the gas source portion contains a solid gas source thatthrough sublimation emits a gas, and a gas storage tank arranged tostore the gas. The beverage making machine further comprising a beveragediluent receptacle for receiving a beverage diluent liquid, a dissolverdissolves a portion of the gas, from the gas storage tank, into thebeverage diluent liquid, and a dispenser selectively dispenses apredefined ratio of the micro ingredient and the beverage diluent liquidto form a beverage.

Additional shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additionaladvantages are provided through the provision of a beverage makingmachine comprising at least one of a beverage cartridge comprising atleast one of a micro ingredient portion, a gas source portion, and a gasdissolver portion, the gas source portion contains a solid gas sourcethat through sublimation emits a gas, and a gas storage tank arranged tostore the gas. The beverage making machine further comprising a beveragediluent receptacle for routing at least a portion of a beverage diluentliquid to the dissolver portion, The dissolver dissolves at least aportion of the gas, from the gas storage tank, into the beverage diluentliquid, and a dispenser selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of atleast one of the micro ingredient and the beverage diluent liquid toform a beverage.

Additional shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additionaladvantages are provided through the provision of a beverage makingmachine comprising a beverage making cartridge comprising at least oneof a micro ingredient portion, a gas source portion, and a gas dissolverportion, the micro ingredient portion contains at least one of a microingredient, the gas source portion contains a solid gas source thatthrough sublimation emits a gas, and a gas storage tank arranged tostore the gas. The beverage making machine further comprising a beveragediluent receptacle for routing at least a portion of a beverage diluentliquid to the dissolver portion, The dissolver dissolves at least aportion of the gas, from the gas storage tank, into the beverage diluentliquid, the gas source portion is arranged to thermally couple the gassource to the beverage diluent receptacle cooling the beverage diluentliquid, and a dispenser selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of themicro ingredient and the beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage.

System and computer program products corresponding to theabove-summarized methods are also described and claimed herein.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesof the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the inventionare described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimedinvention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantagesand features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate examples of a beverage making cartridgecomprising a solid gas source;

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate examples of a beverage making cartridgecomprising at least one of a micro ingredient;

FIG. 3 illustrates examples of a method of making a beverage makingcartridge comprising a solid gas source or an aroma enhanced solid gassource;

FIGS. 4A-B illustrates one example of a beverage diluent receptaclearranged to accept a beverage making cartridge;

FIG. 5 illustrates examples of functional block diagrams of variousbeverage making cartridges;

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a functional block diagram of abeverage making cartridge having a beverage diluent liquid filter;

FIG. 7 illustrates one example of a beverage making machine, whichutilizes at least one of a beverage making cartridge;

FIG. 8 illustrates one example of a beverage making machine, whichutilizes more than one of an aroma enhanced solid gas;

FIG. 9 illustrates one example of a beverage making machine comprisingmultiple dispensers;

FIG. 10 illustrates one example of a beverage making machine utilizingat least one of a beverage making machine cartridge, which is stored ina refrigerated appliance, separate from the beverage making machine;

FIG. 11 illustrates one example of combining beverage diluent fluidflows (with and without gas infusion) with at least one of a microingredient flow to control the volumes of gas in a formed beverage;

FIG. 12 illustrates one example of a dissolver for dissolving gas intothe beverage diluent liquid, such method being effectuated by way of agas permeable hollow fiber tube style dissolver;

FIG. 13 illustrates one example of dissolving the gas into the beveragediluent liquid, by way of a tank style dissolver;

FIG. 14 illustrates examples of different beverage making cartridgeconfigurations, for use in a beverage making machine for forming abeverage;

FIGS. 15A-B illustrate examples of a gas generation and storage system;

FIG. 16 illustrates one example of a gas generation and storage systemhaving multiple gas storage portions;

FIG. 17 illustrates one example of a domestic appliance having abeverage making machine, which utilizes at least one of a beveragemaking cartridge;

FIG. 18 illustrates one example of a method of supplying a beveragemaking machine with beverage making cartridges;

FIGS. 19-23 illustrates examples of a system block diagram of beveragemaking cartridges arranged to be a factory in a cartridge;

FIGS. 24-25 illustrates examples of a beverage making machine, whichutilizes at least one of a beverage making cartridge;

FIGS. 26A-B illustrates examples of methods of producing aroma enhancedsolid gas for use in a beverage making machine to make a beverage;

FIGS. 27A-B illustrates examples of a method of making a beverage;

FIGS. 28A-B illustrates examples of methods of supplying consumables toa beverage making machine;

FIGS. 29A-C illustrates examples of methods of making a beverage in abeverage making machine;

FIGS. 30A-B illustrates examples of methods of increasing the retainedvolume of gas in the beverage after dispense into a vessel, by mixing abeverage diluent liquid with at least one of a micro ingredient to forman enhanced beverage diluent liquid; and

FIGS. 31A-B illustrates examples of methods of making a beverage in abeverage making machine.

The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of theinvention, together with advantages and features, by way of example withreference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Use of the term “consumables”, in the present invention, is intended tomean the supplies which are consumed in forming a beverage. In general,consumables can include, for example and not a limitation the beveragediluent liquid, the beverage diluent filter 222, which filters thebeverage diluent liquid, a solid gas source 202 or an aroma enhanced gassource 202, which emits a gas, and/or a micro ingredient 214, which ismixed with the beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage in vessel 118,and/or other types and kinds of consumables, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, it will be seen that inFIGS. 1A-1B there is illustrated one example of a beverage makingcartridge 200 comprising a solid gas 202. Referring to FIG. 1A, in anexemplary embodiment, the solid gas 202 can be food grade and in solidform, including in ice form. For example and not a limitation, the solidgas 202 can be frozen carbon dioxide (CO2), which can also be referredto as dry-ice, or other gas in solid form, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment. Dry-ice has a freezing point in therange of −109 Fahrenheit (F), as such, in ambient conditions, standardatmospheric pressures, and temperatures, the dry-ice will sublimate,transitioning from a frozen form directly to a gas form; no liquidstate.

Use of the term “emitted gas” or “emitted gas 704” or “gas 704” or “gassource” or “solid gas source”, in the present invention, is intended tomean preferably carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen, or oxygen; however othergas types and blends can be utilized with the present invention. Ingeneral, “solid gas source” is a gas in frozen form preferably dry-icealso referred to as frozen carbon dioxide; however other gases in frozenor other solid states can be used, as may be required and/or desired ina particular embodiment. A sublimating gas, that is one that transitionsfrom solid ice state to gas state, skipping the liquid state ispreferred.

Typically solid gas, in ice form, can have an extremely cold surfacetemperature. The low temperature can make it difficult for a consumer tohandle. As such, the solid gas 202 can be packaged in a solid gaspackage 206 and further collocated within a beverage making cartridgeenclosure 210. As the solid gas 202 sublimates, emitting gas, within thesolid gas package 206, gas pressure will increase in a sealed confinedspace. As such, without allowing the emitted gas 704, from the gassource 202, to vent, from the confines of the solid gas package 206, thesolid gas package 206 would expand and then likely rupture. To preventthe rupture, a one-way degassing valve 204 can be arranged, within thesolid gas package 206, to vent the emitted gas 704 from the gas source202.

In an exemplary embodiment, a one-way degassing valve 204 can be securedto a solid gas package 206, which contains a solid gas source 202. Sucha vent can be a mechanical pressure valve, or one-way valvemanufactured, for example and not a limitation, by PLITEK, FRES-COSYSTEMS, or other types and kinds of one-way degassing valves, as may berequired and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

For convenience, as well as ease of use by a consumer, the solid gassource 202 packaged in a solid gas package 206 having a one-waydegassing valve 204, for venting the emitted gas 704 from at least thesolid gas package 206 can be further secured in a beverage makingcartridge enclosure 210. In addition, the solid gas package 206 alsoprovides the environment in which to keep the solid gas source 202clean, free from contaminates, and sterile. All desirable traits forapplications in making a beverage with the sublimated gas. The beveragemaking cartridge 200 can be arranged to insert into and interlock with agas storage system 106, better illustrated in at least FIG. 15A. The gasgeneration and storage system 106 further comprising a gas storage tank108 and a gas transfer system 128 and 136, which can comprise pumps,valves, and/or regulators, interconnect in a manner to transfer theemitted gas 704 from the solid gas source 202 to the gas storage tank108 and from the gas storage tank to other parts of the beverage makingmachine.

A gas vent 140, which is part of the gas storage tank 108, allowspressure from the gas source to increase, reaching a selectable level of3 to 11 atmospheres, and then venting the excess gas pressure. Thepressure level being determined based in part on the safety limitationsof the selected gas storage tank and the gas pressures needed to makethe desired beverages.

Use of the term “atmospheres” or “atmospheric pressure”, in the presentinvention, is intended to mean the pressure exerted by the weight of theatmosphere, which at sea level has a mean value of ˜101,325 Pascal or14.69 pounds per square inch (psi). In general, the term describespressure. In an exemplary embodiment, a gas storage tank, such as gasstorage tank 108 reaching pressure levels of 3 to 11 atmospheres wouldcorrespond to ˜303,975 to ˜911,925 Pascal or ˜44.08 to ˜161.59 psi. Iteasy to see from this example that packaging gas in a gas state in asmall vessel can create large enough pressures to be very dangerous toship and have a consumer handle safely. As such, in an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, a solid gas source 202, such asfrozen CO2 (dry-ice) is at least one way in which to transport gassafely to a point of use and then allow sublimation to convert the solidto a gas, which can be safely stored at higher pressures, in a gasstorage tank 108, for use by the beverage making machine in making ofbeverages.

Use of the term “volumes”, in the present invention, is intended to meanthe volume of gas which is dissolved into one volume of liquid. Ingeneral, if it is desired to dissolve in one liter of liquid 3.8 litersof gas then the gas infused liquid could be characterized as a liquid at3.8 volumes of gas or just 3.8 volumes. For carbonated, also referred toas sparkling beverages, carbonation levels of the gas infused diluentliquid can range up to 5 volumes, with the preferred range for mostbeverages ranging between 2 to 4.2 volumes.

Use of the term “beverage diluent liquid”, in the present invention, isintended to mean a liquid, such as water, or other liquid that can bemixed with other ingredients to form a beverage. In general, thebeverage diluent liquid is mixed with micro ingredients to form abeverage. Optionally, the liquid can have gas dissolved into the liquidto form a gas infused beverage.

Use of the term “micro ingredient’, in the present invention, isintended to mean a concentrated syrup, powder, flavoring, coloring,preservative, concentrate mixture, non-caloric sweetener also referredto as non-nutritive sweetener, caloric sweetener also referred to as asweetener, nutraceuticals, sweetener enhancers, tea, coffee, acombination thereof, or other types and kinds of substances that can bemixed with a beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage. In general,micro ingredients are concentrated forms of ingredients that can bediluted with a beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage.

Use of the term “point of use”, in the present invention, is intended tomean where the beverage making machine 100, beverage making machinecartridges 200 including supplies, and/or the types and kinds ofsupplies are intended to be used. Examples of points of use can include,but not be limited to, a consumer's home, an office, store, restaurant,quick serve restaurant, and/or other points of use where the beveragemaking machine 100, the beverage making machine cartridges 200 includingsupplies or other types and kinds of supplies are intended to be used,and as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment. Inaddition, points of use can include stores, warehouses, and other placeswhere beverage making cartridges 200 including supplies may be madeavailable for purchase by consumers who then take the supplies to theultimate point of use where the supplies can be utilized in connectionwith a beverage making machine 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not a limitation, the solidgas packaging material 206 can provide thermal insulation to prevent thesolid gas 202, in the case where the solid gas is ice, from sublimatingtoo quickly. In this regard, in an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, for example and not a limitation, the beverage makingcartridge 200 can be shipped to a point of use location, such as to aconsumer, made available in a store, or logistically provided in otherways, as may be required and desired in a particular embodiment. Duringthe period of time the beverage making cartridge 200 is not placed in abeverage making machine 100, where the emitted gas 704 can be capturedand stored in gas storage tank 108, the emitted gas 704 is vented to theatmosphere and the ice volume reduces. The larger the differentialbetween the surface temperature of the solid gas source 202 and theatmospheric temperature the quicker the solid gas source 202 willsublimate. To slow sublimation, especially while transporting the solidgas source 202, to the point of use, a suitable insulating material canbe utilized as the solid gas packaging material 206. This in combinationwith providing a solid gas source that is larger than necessary, so thatsome sublimation on the way to the point of use leaves a sufficientvolume of the solid gas source left to pressurize the gas storage tank,will better insure that a full gas storage tank pressurization can beobtained when the solid gas source is inserted into the beverage makingmachine and allowed to sublimate, pressurizing the gas storage tank 108.Should too much gas be emitted, then the gas vent 140 would vent theexcess gas allowing the gas storage tank 108 to reach a full and safepressure level.

Referring to FIG. 1B there is illustrated one example of a beveragemaking cartridge 200 comprising a solid gas 202. In this exemplaryembodiment, the solid gas 202, which can be frozen CO2 can be placeddirectly into the beverage making cartridge enclosure 210. In such anembodiment, the beverage making cartridge can further comprise a one-waydegassing valve 204, to vent the emitted gas 704 from the gas source202. In this embodiment, separate solid gas package 206 material is notutilized. Instead, the beverage making cartridges 200 provides thethermal insulation and barrier properties to prevent the solid gas 202,in the case where the solid gas is ice, from sublimating too quickly ina similar manner as the solid gas package 206. In addition, the beveragemaking cartridge enclosure 210 also provides the environment in whichthe solid gas source 202 stays clean, free from contaminates, andsterile; desirable attributes for applications in making a beverage withthe sublimated gas. The beverage making cartridge 200 can be arranged toinsert into and interlock with a gas generation and storage system 106,as better illustrated in at least FIG. 15A and as previously disclosed.

Use of the term “barrier properties” or “packaging material barrierproperties”, in the present invention, is intended to mean, in thecontext of food packaging materials, a defined barrier againstpermeation of gases, moisture, liquids, and flavor. In general, barrierproperties can be considered characteristics of the packaging material.Some of the many packaging material characteristics can include, withoutlimitation, the ability to insulate, and prevent certain gases orcertain wavelengths of light from passing through the barrier, physicalstrength of the material, and/or other types and kinds of barrierproperties.

An advantage, in the present invention, of using a solid gas source thatsublimates versus other gas sources, that require wetting to activate orrequire a carrier material which is not converted to gas, is that thesublimating gas source has little, if any, microbiological contaminationconcerns. In this regard, the sublimating gas source of the presentinvention can be packaged in a sterile environment and remains thereemitting gas through a sterile one-way vent. In addition, for solid gassources that exhibit a cold surface temperatures, such cold surfacetemperature can prevent microbiological growth. As such, with no liquidstate, cold temperatures, and no contaminates entering the environment,in which the sublimating solid gas source is secured, microbiologicalcontamination is of little concern.

On the other hand, gas sources that required wetting can be contaminatedand sit in a wet moist environment—a petri dish—where microbiologicalgrowth can take over and produce molds, yeasts, contribute off flavorsand odors to the beverage, and act as a food source for microorganismsincluding pathogens. This contamination cannot only impair the foodsafety of the gas source but the emitted gas 704 as well. As such, gassources that require wetting or some other form of activation orregeneration can be easily contaminated and compromised. Thiscontamination can be transferred to the food products made with thesetypes of gas sources, which in turn can make consumers very sick andimpair beverage safety and/or quality.

In an exemplary embodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200 for use by abeverage making machine 100 in forming a beverage, the beverage makingcartridge 200 can comprise a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210which can further comprise a gas source portion 228 (illustrated in atleast FIG. 14), the gas source portion 228 further comprising a solidgas source 202 that through sublimation emits a gas 704. A one-way vent204 can be arranged in the beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 tovent the gas 704 emitted from the solid gas source 202, such that it canbe captured and stored in a gas storage tank 108 (illustrated in atleast 15). In this regard, the gas 704 from the gas storage tank 108 canbe dissolved in a beverage diluent liquid 702 and mixed with at leastone of a micro ingredient 214 to form the beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, an insulation material 206 seals thesolid gas source 202 in a sterile environment and moderates the rate ofsublimation of the solid gas source 202.

In another exemplary embodiment, a dispenser 120 (illustrated in atleast FIGS. 19-23) can be attached to the beverage making cartridgeenclosure 210 and arranged to dispense the beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a micro ingredient selector 150(illustrated in at least FIG. 23) can be provided for selecting which,if any, of the micro ingredient 214 are to be mixed with the beveragediluent liquid 702 to form the beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, the beverage making cartridge 200 canfurther comprise at least one of a fluid handler 144 (illustrated in atleast FIGS. 19-23) for ratio mixing the gas infused beverage diluentliquid 702 with the beverage diluent liquid 702 which is absent of thegas 704 to reduce the volumes of the gas in the beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200 for useby a beverage making machine 100 in forming a beverage, the beveragemaking cartridge 200 comprising a beverage making cartridge enclosure210 which can further comprise a gas source portion 228 and a microingredient portion 230, the gas source portion 228 further comprising asolid gas source 202 that through sublimation emits a gas 704, the microingredient portion 230 can further comprise a micro ingredient 214. Aone-way vent 204 arranged in the beverage making cartridge enclosure 210to vent the gas 704 emitted from the solid gas source 202, such that itcan be captured and stored in a gas storage tank 108. In this regard,the gas 704 from the gas storage tank 108 can be dissolved into thebeverage diluent liquid and mixed with at least one of the microingredient to form the beverage.

In an exemplary embodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200 for use by abeverage making machine 100 in forming a beverage, the beverage makingcartridge 200 comprising a micro ingredient portion 230, the microingredient portion 230 can further comprise a micro ingredient 214. Adispenser 120 can be attached to the beverage making cartridge 200, thebeverage making cartridge 200 can be arranged to receive a beveragediluent liquid 702 form a beverage diluent receptacle 102, the dispenser120 dispenses the beverage diluent liquid 702 and the micro ingredient214 to form the beverage.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-B there is illustrated examples of a beveragemaking cartridge 200 comprising at least one of a micro ingredient 214.Referring to FIG. 2A, in an exemplary embodiment, a beverage makingcartridge can comprise at least one micro ingredient 214 packaged in amicro ingredient package 212 and further packaged into a beverage makingcartridge enclosure 210. Such beverage making cartridges 200 comprisingmicro ingredients can be interlocked into a beverage making machine 100to provide a matrix of ingredients, which can be combined to form avariety of beverages. In at least FIG. 7 there is illustrated anexemplary embodiment of a beverage making machine 100 comprising aplurality of beverage making cartridges 200A-C which can be insertedinto or otherwise arranged in beverage making cartridge receptacles 110for gas and 114A-C for micro ingredients.

Once the beverage making cartridges 200A-C have been arranged in thebeverage making cartridge receptacles 110 for gas and 114A-C for microingredients, a variety of beverages (gas infused, non-gas infused,and/or otherwise) can be made. In this regard, a beverage diluent 702(infused with gas or not, or in some combination, and/or otherwise) canbe mixed with the plurality of micro ingredients 214 to form a beverage.The beverage can be dispensed at the initiation of a consumer, manually,at the beverage making machine 100, by way of wireless device 602, byglobal network 604 communication with computer control 122, and/or byway of other methods, as may be required and/or desired in a particularembodiment.

For disclosure purposes the shaded blocks in at least FIGS. 7-8 and15A-16 denote a changeable supply, ingredient, or functional device(such as filer 222). In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not alimitation, such a changeable supply can preferably be a beverage makingcartridge that can be interchanged to resupply the beverage makingmachine with solid gas sources, micro ingredients, filters, and/or othertypes and kinds of changeable supplies, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the micro ingredient package 212 alsoprovides an environment in which the micro ingredient 214 stays clean,free from contaminates, suitable for food contact, and sterile. Inaddition, the micro ingredient package 212 can exhibit barrierproperties which promote extended shelf life for the micro ingredient214 inside. Such barrier properties refer to the micro ingredientpackaging 212 ability, from a materials perspective to, for example andnot a limitation, block ingredient damaging light, to block ingress ofoxygen or other undesirable gasses that can harm flavor, color, or haveother undesirable impacts on the ingredients, to block egress of gases(such as aroma and other gases) through the packaging material, to blockingress of gasses (such as oxygen and/or other gases) and other barrierproperties, as may be required and/or desired in a particularembodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the micro ingredient 214 can include, forexample and not a limitation, syrups, concentrates, powders, flavors,colors, nutraceuticals, vitamins, healthy or wellbeing ingredients,sweeteners (caloric or non-caloric), beverage modifiers, beverageenhancers (including sweetness enhancement, aroma enhancements, and/orother types and kinds of beverage enhancers) and/or other types andkinds of micro ingredient 214, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2B there is illustrated one example of a beveragemaking cartridge 200 comprising at least one of a micro ingredient 214packaged in a beverage making enclosure 210. In this exemplaryembodiment, the micro ingredient 214 can be placed directly into thebeverage making cartridge enclosure 210. As such, a separate microingredient package 212 is not utilized. Instead, the beverage makingcartridge enclosure 210 provides the thermal insulation and barrierproperties to meet the shelf life requirements for the micro ingredient214, allowing the micro ingredient 214 to be utilized as a beveragemaking ingredient, as disclosed herein. The beverage making cartridge200 comprising the micro ingredient 214 can be arranged to insert intoand interlock with the beverage making machine receptacle 114, whereinthe beverage making machine 100 can use the micro ingredient 214 in themaking of beverages.

Referring to FIG. 3, with reference to at least FIGS. 26A-B, there isillustrated a method of making a beverage making cartridge comprising asolid gas source 202A or an aroma enhanced solid gas source 202B witharoma precipitate 218 added in a predefined ratio to the solid gassource 202A.

For purposes of disclosure a solid gas source 202 and an aroma enhancedsolid gas source can both be referred to as a solid gas source 202. Inthis regard, the aroma enhanced solid gas source has had some aromaprecipitate 218 added to the solid gas source to form the aroma enhancedsolid gas source. In an exemplary embodiment, solid gas source 202 andaroma precipitate 218 are both in frozen state and can be mixed to forma solid gas source having aroma enhancement. The solid gas sourcematerial and the aroma precipitate can be mixed in a suitable ratio suchthat the gas created through sublimation can be stored in the gasstorage tank 108 and contain the desired ratio of gas molecules to aromamolecules so that the combined gas plus aroma can be dissolved into thebeverage diluent liquid and add just the right aroma benefit to thebeverage. In this regard, the final beverage comprising the aromaenhanced gas, when dispensed, will release the desired amount of aromato be pleasing to the consumer's olfactory senses; not too weak or toostrong, just right.

Illustrated in FIG. 3, is an exemplary embodiment of a preparationmethod for creating an aroma enhance gas source that can take advantageof preparation processing techniques such as brewing, fermentation, orother preparation process, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment, which can be used to cause aroma vapor 216 to beproduced or otherwise released from an ingredient 214A. Such aroma vapor216, for example and not a limitation, could be tea aroma when tealeaves, as an ingredient, are brewed or coffee aroma when coffee, as aningredient, is brewed, fresh squeezed citrus aroma when being squeezedor citrus is processed to extract aroma, or other aroma when brewing,fermenting, squeezing, or other preparation process is used with otheringredients.

Prior to the present invention it has been difficult to capture,collect, or otherwise package this aroma vapor and later use thecaptured aroma to enhance a beverage. One advantage of the presentinvention is to be able to capture and condense aroma vapor 216 fromingredients 214A and brewed ingredients 220 (like coffee and tea) intoan aroma precipitate 218. Such an aroma precipitate 218 can be in frozenice form or other form and can be aroma captured from brewing,fermenting, squeezing, or other preparation process of tea, coffee,citrus, sweetness enhancers, flavors, and/or other ingredients,precipitate states, or preparation processes, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

Another advantage, in the present invention, is that aroma liquid orvapor added to micro ingredient degrades over time, such that thebenefit of the aroma at the time of use may be negated or significantlyimpaired simply due to the natural degradation of the aroma when mixedwith the ingredient. This has for a long time prevented delivering tothe consumer real authentic tasting tea, or fresh brewed coffee smell,or freshly squeezed citrus aroma simply because aroma mixed withingredients degrades. The present invention overcomes this limitation bycreating a frozen precipitate 218 and mixing with the frozen solid gassource. In this regard, the aroma is preserved in frozen form andreturned to gas vapor form, stored in a gas storage tank where the aromadoes not degrade. As such, the true quality of the aroma can bedelivered by infusion into the beverage, at the time the beverage ismade, making delivering to the consumer in concentrated or syrup form,with aroma enhance gas, a true authentic tea experience, a real freshbrewed coffee experience, a fresh squeezed citrus experience, and/ordelivering to the consumer other superior beverage making and enjoyingexperiences.

In this regard, in an exemplary embodiment, for example and not alimitation, the aroma vapor 216 can be from brewed ingredients 220 likecoffee and tea or an ingredient 214A, or other aroma source. The aromacan be condensed into a precipitate 218 form. Preferably, the form ofthe aroma precipitate 218 is frozen ice so that it can be mixed in apredefined ratio with a solid gas source 202A, such as frozen CO2(dry-ice) or other frozen gas. The ratio-mix combination now forms anaroma enhanced solid gas source 202B, which can be packaged in a solidgas source package 206, as illustrated in at least FIG. 1A or packageddirectly into a beverage making cartridge 200, as illustrated in atleast FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3 further illustrates, for example and not a limitation, how thesolid gas source 202A or the aroma enhanced solid gas source 202B can bepackaged in a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210A-B individually,as solid gas source 202C, illustrated as option ‘A’ or as solid gassource 202D collocated with at least one of a micro ingredient 214B, ina beverage making cartridge enclosure 210C-D, illustrated as option ‘B’.Other Figures, such as at least FIG. 5 illustrate how the solid gassource can be collocated with other functional elements, such asdissolver 104 or in at least FIGS. 19-23 with a dispenser 120.

Referring to FIG. 4A there is illustrated a beverage diluent receptacle102 arranged to accept a beverage making cartridge 200. In an exemplaryembodiment, a beverage diluent receptacle 102 can be a thermos filledwith bulk water, or other type or kind of beverage diluent receptacle,as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment. Thebeverage diluent receptacle 102 is arranged to be interoperable with abeverage cartridge receptacle 110/114; 110 for gas only, 114 for microingredients or combinations of gas plus micro ingredients.

The beverage cartridge receptacle 110/114 is configured to allow abeverage making cartridge 200 to be inserted. In operation, the beveragemaking cartridge can comprise a solid gas source 202, micro ingredient214, and other functionality such as, for example and not a limitation,a dissolver 104, a dispenser 120, a diluent filter receptacle 116/filter222, a thermal coupling to the gas source to form a diluent cooler 148,or other functionality, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment. Each of these features is better illustrated inat least FIGS. 5, and 19-23. Once installed the beverage diluent liquidcan be mixed with the micro ingredient 214 to form a beverage. If asolid gas source is present, preferably an aroma enhanced solid gassource, the emitted gas 704 can be dissolved into the beverage diluentliquid to form an aroma enhanced beverage.

Use of the term “bulk water dispenser”, in the present invention, isintended to mean a beverage making machine 100 having a beverage diluentreceptacle 102, which hold a supply of beverage diluent liquid for usein beverage making. In general, these types beverage making machines 100can be portable thermos, as illustrated in at least FIG. 4A, personaldrinking vessel, as illustrated in at least FIG. 4B, a refrigeratedappliances 402 having a beverage diluent water supply, as is illustratedin at least FIG. 17, a sports cooler or community water supply buckettype beverage making machine 100 as is illustrated in at least FIG. 24,a water cooler type beverage making machine 100, as is illustrated in atleast FIG. 25, or other types and kinds of bulk water dispensers, as maybe required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

For example and not a limitation, if the beverage diluent liquid 702 ishot, the micro ingredient is coffee, and the solid gas source is coffeebased aroma then a refreshing hot coffee beverage with fresh brewedcoffee aroma can be made and dispensed to the consumer. In anotherexample, if the beverage diluent liquid 102 is hot, the micro ingredientis tea, and the solid gas source is tea based aroma then a refreshinghot tea beverage with fresh brewed tea aroma can be made and dispensedto the consumer. In another example, if the beverage diluent liquid 702is cold, the micro ingredient is juice, and the solid gas source isfresh squeezed citrus aroma enhanced then a refreshing cold juicebeverage with fresh squeezed aroma can be made and dispensed to theconsumer.

For clarification, beverage making cartridge receptacle 110 isillustrated in at least FIG. 7 as a receptacle for receiving a beveragemaking cartridge comprising a solid gas source cartridge and beveragemaking cartridge receptacle 114 is shown as a receptacle for receiving abeverage making cartridge comprising a micro ingredient. In theexemplary embodiment, illustrated in at least FIGS. 4A-B and 17, thebeverage making cartridge receptacle 110/114 can be a gas cartridge or amicro ingredient cartridge or a cartridge with at least one of a solidgas and at least one of a micro ingredient or a combination thereof inthe same beverage making cartridge 200. Once the beverage makingcartridge has been installed, the systems and methods of the presentinvention can be used to make gas infused and non-gas infused beverages,with or without aroma enhancement, as may be required and/or desired ina particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4B there is illustrated a beverage making machine 100,which utilizes at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200. In anexemplary embodiment, with some similar functions as the bulk dispenserof FIG. 4A, this bulk type dispenser 100, often referred to as apersonal drink vessel style dispenser, is often carried by a consumer.This bulk type dispenser beverage making machine 100, which comprises abeverage diluent receptacle 102 can make a wide variety of hot or coldbeverages.

The beverage making cartridge 200 can come in many flavors, types andkinds of beverages, such as energy boost or nutraceutical enhancers orother benefits, and/or brands. Typical use includes a consumer insertingat least one beverage making cartridge 200 into a beverage makingcartridge receptacle 110/114, which is part of the bulk type dispenserbeverage making machine 100. Once installed, the beverage making machine100 can make, from a single installed beverage making cartridge 200, aplurality of hot and cold beverages. When the consumables are used up inthe beverage making cartridge 200, the beverage making cartridge 200 canbe removed and replaced with a new beverage making cartridge 200, asneeded.

Referring to FIG. 5 there are illustrated examples of functional blockdiagrams of various beverage making cartridges 200A-C. In an exemplaryembodiment, for example and not a limitation, these functional bockdiagrams ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ are separate and different representations ofthree different beverage making cartridges that can be used with abeverage making machines 100 and are particularly well suited for bulkwater type beverage making machines, such as is illustrated in at leastFIGS. 4A-B, and 24-25.

Referring to beverage making cartridge enclosure 210A, reference label‘A’, arrows indicate different fluid flow pathways depending on theembodiment desired. In one exemplary embodiment, a fluid flow pathwaycan involve mixing the micro ingredient 214A with the beverage diluentliquid received from the beverage diluent receptacle 102A to form abeverage and then returning the beverage to the beverage diluentreceptacle 102A. A consumer can then dispense, from the beverage diluentreceptacle 102A, by way of a bistable lever actuated valve 146A, thebeverage into vessel 118A, as needed.

An advantage of this configuration is that, the beverage can be preparedahead of the consumer's need and then dispensed as needed. Anotheradvantage of this exemplary embodiment can be that if electricity isneeded to operate the beverage making machine 100, the beverage could beproduced and remain in the beverage receptacle 102A at a location, wherethere is a power source, and then unplugged to be portable, taken withthe consumer to a remote location, where there is not easy access to apower source, and the beverage in the beverage diluent receptacle 102Acan be dispensed into vessel 118A, as needed, to be enjoyed by consumersat the remote location.

Use of the term “vessel” or “vessel 118” or “vessel portion”, in thepresent invention, can mean a drinking cup, reseal type bottle, pitcher,drinking mug, potable water container, or other similar type, kind, orreference, as it relates to something a consumer can transportbeverages, or put a beverage into and/or drink from. Common beveragepackaging vessels can include glass bottles, immediate consumption papervessels, plastic, or coated cups like the kind use for fountain drinksat a quick serve restaurant, metal cans and bottles, plastic bottlessuch as PET and other types of polymers, and other types and kinds ofvessel containers that are good for holding a beverage, transporting abeverage, storing a beverage or storing beverage making materials and/orallowing a consumer to drink a beverage. The present invention does makereference to and therefore a distinction from the term “vessel” or“vessel 118” in the special case of a high pressure vessel, in thecontext of holding a high pressure gas, or other substance, such as forgas storage tank 108. This type of high pressure vessel, for containingand dispensing a high pressure gas, is often a heavy wall metalcontainer, for specific use under certain conditions, where safety is apriority and as such, the design and use of the vessel requires specialattention.

In another exemplary embodiment, a fluid flow pathway can cause themicro ingredient 214A and the beverage diluent liquid 702 from thebeverage diluent receptacle 102A to meet and be ratio mixed at or justafter dispense, through the dispenser 146A, into the consumer's vessel118, to form the beverage. Other fluid pathways can be configured andmultiple micro ingredients can be utilized, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

Use of the term “mixed”, “mixing”, “ratio mix” or “ratio mixed”, or“ratio mixing”, in the present invention, is intended to mean mixingvolumetrically or otherwise a predefined portion of micro ingredientwith a predefined portion of beverage diluent. As an example and not alimitation, the ratio mix of a micro ingredient, which is a syrupconcentrate, could be one part syrup to five parts beverage diluentliquid. Furthermore, the dispenser 146 can be considered a mixer inexemplary embodiments where the various fluid streams are combined anddispensed to form the beverage.

Referring to beverage making cartridge enclosure 210B, reference label‘B’, a micro ingredient 214B, a beverage diluent receptacle 102B, asolid gas source 202A, and a beverage diluent cooler 148A are arrangedto cool the beverage diluent liquid 702 and mix at least one microingredient with the beverage diluent liquid 702 to form a beverage invessel 118B.

In an exemplary embodiment, the solid gas source could be in ice formand as such have an extremely cold surface temperature, for example andnot a limitation, carbon dioxide (dry-ice) has a surface temperature inthe range of −109 F. Use of this cold temperature to cool the beveragediluent liquid can be effectuated by way of the beverage diluent cooler148A. In this regard, the beverage diluent cooler 148A can be thermallycoupled to the beverage diluent receptacle 102B. In this arrangement,the cold surface temperature can be communicated through the thermallycoupled beverage diluent cooler 148A and cool the beverage diluentreceptacle 102B. As the beverage diluent receptacle 102B cools thebeverage diluent liquid inside also cools.

Similar to cartridge reference label ‘A’ the micro ingredient 214B andthe beverage diluent liquid can be mixed in different fluid pathways, asmay be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment, to form abeverage in vessel 118B. A bistable lever actuated valve 146B can beutilized to dispense a beverage into vessel 118B into a vessel. In oneexemplary embodiment, the fluid pathway forms the beverage and stores itin the beverage diluent receptacle 102B until dispensed by a consumer.In a second exemplary embodiment, a fluid pathway can cause the beveragediluent liquid 702, from beverage diluent receptacle 102B, and the microingredient 214B to meet and be ratio mixed at or just after dispense,through the bistable lever actuated valve 146B, into the consumer'svessel 118B. Other fluid pathways can be configured and multiple microingredients can be utilized, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

Referring to beverage making cartridge enclosure 210C, reference label‘C’, a micro ingredient 214C, a beverage diluent receptacle 102C, asolid gas source 202B, a dissolver 104, and a beverage diluent cooler148B are arranged to cool the beverage diluent and mix at least onemicro ingredient with the beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage invessel 118C. In addition, the solid gas source 202B, which sublimates toemit a gas, can be arranged with dissolver 104 to dissolve the emittedgas 704, into the beverage diluent liquid 702. In this regard, forexample and not a limitation, if the emitted gas 704 is CO2 thendissolving the emitted gas 704, by way of dissolver 104, into thebeverage diluent liquid 702, would carbonate the beverage diluent liquidand ultimately dispense beverage into vessel 118C.

As in the exemplary embodiments of reference label ‘A’ and ‘B’ abovemultiple fluid pathways can provide several alternatives for theembodiment illustrated in reference label ‘C’. As example, the beveragediluent liquid 702, within the beverage diluent receptacle 102C, can betransfer between the dissolver 104, for the purpose of dissolving theemitted gas 704 from the solid gas source 202B into the beverage diluentliquid 702, and then transferred back to the beverage diluent receptacle102C for storage. Alternatively, the gas 704 infused beverage diluentliquid can remain in the dissolver 104 under pressure, until needed. Asrequired, in a particular embodiment, the beverage diluent liquid 702with or without gas infusion can be chilled by the beverage diluentcooler 148B. In this regard, chilled beverage diluent liquid allows theemitted gas 704 to be more easily dissolved into the beverage diluentliquid, which in turn enables being able to reach higher concentrationof dissolved gas volumes within the beverage diluent liquid, referred toas a higher or larger volume of gas to liquid ratio. In addition, oftencooling the beverage diluent liquid makes a more enjoyable beverage forthe consumer.

The micro ingredient 214C can also have multiple fluid pathways, as maybe required in a particular embodiment. As example, in one such fluidpathway the micro ingredient 214C can be transferred, as needed and inthe correct quantities, to the dissolver 104 and mixed with the beveragediluent liquid 702. An advantage can be that with the combining of themicro ingredient and beverage diluent liquid, the mixed beverage may beeasier to dissolve the emitted gas 704 into versus trying to dissolvethe emitted gas 704 into the beverage diluent liquid only.

Another fluid pathway can cause the micro ingredient 214C to betransferred, as need and in the correct quantities, to the bistablelever actuated valve 146C. In such an embodiment, the micro ingredient214C and the beverage diluent liquid, from the beverage diluentreceptacle 102C or the dissolver 104, can be arranged to meet and beratio mixed at or just after dispense, through the bistable leveractuated valve 146C, into the consumer's vessel 118C.

As another example, a fluid pathway can cause the micro ingredient 214C,gas infused beverage diluent liquid from the dissolver 104, and non-gasinfused beverage diluent liquid from the beverage diluent receptacle102C to meet at the bistable lever actuated valve 146C, mix, and formbeverage in vessel 118C. In this embodiment, the combined gas infusedand non-gas infused beverage diluent liquid act to ratio mix with themicro ingredient, diluting the micro ingredient as well as adjusting thefinal volumes of gas to a desired set point, by diluting down the gasinfused beverage diluent liquid with non-gas infused beverage diluentliquid. In this regard, the gas infused beverage diluent liquid having ahigh gas infused volume measurement can be mixed down to a lower gasinfused volume level when the beverage in vessel 118C is formed. Asexample, and not a limitation, the gas infused beverage diluent liquid,within the dissolver 104, can contain 8 volumes of gas. Mixing, at timeof dispense, with non-gas infused beverage diluent liquid in a 50:50mixture would bring the beverage down in the range of 4 volumes ofinfused gas (ideally, though often less with pressure changes).

In another exemplary embodiment, as better illustrated in at least FIG.11, an infrared sensor system 160 comprising an infrared light sourceand an infrared receiver sensor can data communicate with a computercontrol 122 and be used to look through the beverage diluent liquid. IfCarbon dioxide (CO2) is used as the gas and the beverage diluent liquidis clear (like water), the dissolved gas in the beverage diluent liquidwill appear opaque to the infrared receiver sensor essentially blockingthe infrared light source from reaching the sensor. The more dissolvedgas the more opaque. As such, the amount of infrared light passingthrough the beverage diluent liquid is inversely proportional to theamount of CO2 dissolved in the beverage diluent liquid. This correlationcan be used to measure the dissolved CO2 level or volumes in thebeverage diluent as the liquid is being dispensed and the gas infusedand non-gas infused beverage diluent sources can each be throttledaccordingly to set the dissolved volumes level at the desired value.

As example, if the infrared sensor system 160 indicates the dissolvedCO2 level is too low then the gas infused beverage diluent liquid flowcan be increased, by way of pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulators 130,or the non-gas infused beverage diluent liquid flow can be decreased, byway of pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulators 124. Conversely, if theinfrared sensor system 160 indicates that the dissolved CO2 level is toohigh then the gas infused beverage diluent liquid flow can be decreased,by way of pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulators 130, or the non-gasinfused beverage diluent liquid flow can be increased, by way of pump,valve, mixer, and/or regulators 124. A micro ingredient, by way of pump,valve, mixer, and/or regulators 132 can also be mixed with the beveragediluent liquid to form the beverage which can be dispensed into vessel118. The pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulators 124, 130, and 132 candata communicate with computer control 122 or otherwise are operableand/or controllable by way of computer control 122 or other controlsystems, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

A beverage making machine 100 can comprise a beverage diluent receptacle102 for storing a beverage diluent liquid 702. A beverage makingcartridge 200 comprising at least one of a micro ingredient 214, thebeverage making cartridge 200 is arranged to receive at least portion ofthe beverage diluent liquid 702 A dispenser 120 selectively dispenses apredefined ratio of the micro ingredient 214 and the beverage diluentliquid 702 to form a beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, the beverage diluent liquid 702 can becirculated through the beverage making cartridge 200 to form thebeverage and then returned to the beverage diluent receptacle 102 forstorage until dispense.

In another exemplary embodiment, the gas 702 can be dissolved into thebeverage diluent liquid 702.

In another exemplary embodiment, the gas source portion 228 is arrangedto thermally couple the cold surface temperature of the solid gas source202 to the beverage diluent receptacle 102, cooling the beverage diluentliquid 702.

In another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser 120 can furthercomprising a micro ingredient selector 150, the micro ingredientselector 150 selects which of the micro ingredient 214 is to be mixedwith the beverage diluent liquid 702 to form the beverage. Additionally,the dispenser 120 can further comprise a micro ingredient selector 150,the micro ingredient selector 150 selects between dispensing beveragediluent liquid 702 only and dispensing at least one of the microingredient 214 mixed with the beverage diluent liquid 702 to form thebeverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a beverage making machine 100 cancomprise a beverage diluent receptacle 102 which can further comprise abeverage diluent liquid 702. A beverage making cartridge 200 can bearranged to receive at least the beverage diluent liquid 702, thebeverage making cartridge 200 including at least one of a microingredient portion 230 and a gas source portion 228, the gas sourceportion 228 contains a solid gas source 202 that through sublimationemits a gas 704, the gas 704 is dissolved into the beverage diluentliquid 702, the gas source portion 228 is arranged to thermally couplethe cold surface temperature of the solid gas source 202 to the beveragediluent receptacle 102, cooling the beverage diluent liquid 702. Adispenser 120 attached to the beverage making cartridge 200 selectivelydispenses a predefined ratio of the micro ingredient 214 and thebeverage diluent liquid 702 to form a beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a beverage making machine 100 cancomprise a beverage making cartridge 200 including at least one of amicro ingredient portion 230, and a gas source portion 228, the gassource portion 228 contains a solid gas source 202 that throughsublimation emits a gas 704. A beverage diluent receptacle 102 forreceiving a beverage diluent liquid 702, the beverage diluent receptacle102 is arranged to dissolve the gas 704 into the beverage diluent liquid702, the gas source portion 228 is arranged to thermally couple the coldsurface temperature of the solid gas source 202 to the beverage diluentreceptacle 102 cooling the beverage diluent liquid 702. A dispenser 120selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of the micro ingredient 214 andthe beverage diluent liquid 702 to form a beverage.

For the exemplary embodiments reference labels ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’illustrated in FIG. 5 there can be other fluid pathways configured,and/or more than one micro ingredient can be utilized, as may berequired and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is illustrated one example of a functionalblock diagram of a beverage making cartridge 200 comprising a beveragediluent cartridge enclosure 210 having a beverage diluent liquid filter222. In an exemplary embodiment, beverage diluent liquid properties suchas chemical content, turbidity, odor, pathogens, and other beveragediluent liquid qualities can affect the safety and quality of thebeverage formed with the beverage diluent liquid. As such, beveragemaking cartridge 200 comprising a beverage diluent filter 222 can beinserted into a beverage diluent filter receptacle 116, and can bearranged to remove contaminates, pathogens, and odors, turbidity, and/orother undesirable materials from the beverage diluent liquid renderingthe beverage diluent liquid suitable for use and capable of producing aquality beverage. Such a beverage diluent filter can be active orpassive and can comprise technologies such as small micron particlefiltering, active carbon, and/or other beverage diluent liquid filtertechnologies, as may be require and/or desired in a particularembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7 there is illustrated one example of a beveragemaking machine 100, which utilizes at least one of a beverage makingcartridge 200. In an exemplary embodiment, with arrows indicating fluidor gas pathways, a beverage diluent liquid 702 can be supplied into abeverage diluent receptacle 102. The beverage diluent receptacle 102 canbe sized, as may be desired and/or required in a particular embodiment,to hold from several ounces of beverage diluent liquid 702 to severalgallons of the beverage diluent liquid 702. The beverage diluent liquid702 is preferably water, but can be other liquids such as milk, juice,or other liquids, as may be required and/or desired in a particularembodiment.

The beverage diluent liquid 702 can optionally be filtered by way of abeverage making cartridge 200 comprising a beverage diluent filter 222illustrated in at least FIG. 6, being inserted into the beverage diluentreceptacle 116. In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage diluent liquid702 properties such as chemical content, turbidity, odor, pathogens, andother beverage diluent liquid qualities can affect the safety andquality of the beverage formed with the beverage diluent liquid 702. Assuch, beverage diluent filter 222 can be arranged to removecontaminates, pathogens, and odors, turbidity, and other undesirablematerials from the beverage diluent liquid rendering the beveragediluent liquid suitable for use and capable of producing a qualitybeverage. Such a beverage diluent filter can be active or passive andcomprise technologies such as small micron particle filtering, activecarbon, and/or other beverage diluent liquid filter technologies, as maybe require and/or desired in a particular embodiment. If filtering ofthe beverage diluent liquid 702 is not required in a particularembodiment then the beverage diluent receptacle 102 can be arranged toprovide the supply to either or both the dissolver 104 and/or thedispenser 120.

During beverage making a pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulator 124 cancontrol the flow of the beverage diluent liquid 702 to the dispenser120. In this case, the beverage diluent liquid 702 would not be infusedwith gas. A pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulator 126 can control theflow of the beverage diluent liquid 702 to the dissolver 104. Thedissolver 104 can receive gas from the gas storage tank 108 and underpressure, dissolve the gas into the beverage diluent liquid 702producing the gas infused beverage diluent liquid. A gas transfer system128, which can comprise pumps, valves, and/or regulators, can controlthe supply of gas and pressure level maintained within the dissolver104. A pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulator 130 can control the flow ofgas infused beverage diluent liquid to the dispenser 120.

At least one of a beverage making cartridge 200A-C comprising microingredients 214 and/or a solid gas source 202, illustrated in at leastFIGS. 1A-B and 2A-B, can be inserted into beverage making cartridgereceptacles 110 and 114A-E. The beverage making cartridges comprisingmicro ingredients can be accessible to a consumer by way of aningredient storage section 112. In a similar manner, the beverage makingcartridge 200 comprising a solid gas source 202 or an aroma enhancedsolid gas source 202, better illustrated in at least FIG. 3, can beaccessible to a consumer as part of the gas generation and storagesystem 106. A series of pumps, valves, and/or regulators 132A-C cancontrol the flow of the micro ingredients to the dispenser 120.

The gas generation and storage system 106 accommodates a beverage makingcartridge 200 comprising a solid gas source or an aroma enhance solidgas source which can be inserted into a beverage making cartridgereceptacle 110. The beverage making cartridge receptacle 110 is arrangedto accept and/or channel emitted gas 704, from the solid gas source, asthe solid gas source sublimates and transfers the emitted gas 704 to thegas storage tank 108. Pumps, valves, and/or regulators 136 caneffectuate the transfer of the emitted gas 704, from the solid gassource, to the gas storage tank 108. To avoid over pressure conditions,within the gas storage tank 108, pumps, valves, mixers, and/orregulators 140 can be arranged to vent the gas in over pressureconditions, thus holding the tank at a safe predetermined upper gaspressure limit.

The dispenser 120 can be a valve or nozzle configured to consolidate thefluid flows from multiple sources into a single fluid flow which can bedirected into a consumer vessel 118 thus forming a beverage. Such adispenser can be passive as a component that routes fluids or activehaving pumps, valves, and/or regulators to control when to dispenseliquids and/or to control the mixing ratios of the liquids, and/or forcontrolling other aspects of beverage making, as maybe required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

With respect to beverage cartridge receptacles 114D and 114E, thesereceptacles can be optionally utilized to supply a micro ingredientwhich is a sweetener in beverage making cartridge receptacle 114D and/orto supply a micro ingredient which is a non-nutritive sweetener inbeverage making cartridge receptacle 114E. In an exemplary embodimentsweetener from beverage making cartridge receptacle 114D and/ornon-nutritive sweetener from beverage making cartridge receptacle 114Ecan be routed to the dispenser 120 and mixed with other fluid streams toform the beverage.

In an exemplary embodiment and with reference to at least FIG. 12,reference label ‘B’, a method of making a beverage, in a beverage makingmachine 100, can include increasing the retained volume of gas in thebeverage after dispense into a vessel 118, by mixing a beverage diluentliquid 702 with at least one of a micro ingredient, either sweetener inbeverage making cartridge receptacle 114D and/or non-nutritive sweetenerin beverage making cartridge receptacle 114E, to form an enhancedbeverage diluent liquid. The gas can then be dissolved into the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid. When compared to dissolving the gas into thebeverage diluent liquid only, the enhanced beverage diluent liquid canexhibit a higher volume of dissolved gas.

Such a method, in the present invention, can include mixing on inletinto a dissolver 104 a predefined ratio of a beverage diluent liquid anda micro ingredient to form an enhanced beverage diluent liquid. Themicro ingredient in this exemplary embodiment can be a sweetener or anon-nutritive sweetener or a combination thereof. The gas can then beinjected into the dissolver 104 at a gas dissolving pressure to causethe gas to dissolve into the enhanced beverage diluent liquid. Apredetermined amount of the gas can then be dissolved into the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid. The enhanced beverage diluent liquid can thenbe mixed with other micro ingredients to form the beverage. The beveragecan be dispensed from the beverage making machine 100 into a vessel 118.

Resultant form this method, as the beverage leaves the higher pressureenvironment of the dissolver 104 and enters standard atmosphericconditions of the vessel 118, the enhanced beverage diluent liquidcauses the gas to be retained in the beverage in higher concentration,instead of being more easily released to the atmosphere, such that thevolumes of the gas in the beverage, after dispense, is increased versushaving dissolved the gas into the beverage diluent liquid only.

The term “gas dissolving pressure”, in the present invention, isintended to mean the gas pressure necessary to cause the gas to dissolveinto a liquid. In general, the liquid can be at some nominal pressureand in order to get the gas to dissolve into the liquid, the pressure ofthe gas needs to exceed the nominal pressure of the liquid. As such, thegas dissolving pressure is that pressure, which is needed to overcomeany nominal liquid pressure and forcible diffuse the gas into theliquid. In an exemplary embodiment, there may be a minimum gasdissolving pressure, at which the gas begins to dissolve into the liquidand a higher and/or more preferred gas dissolving pressure thatdissolves the desired volumes of gas level into the liquid, in a desiredtime period. Typically, liquid temperature, surface area of the liquidexposed to the gas, gas dissolving pressure, and other factors worktogether to determine the average time required to dissolve the gas intothe liquid and for the gas infused liquid to reach equilibrium.

In an exemplary embodiment the “gas dissolving pressure” and the“minimum dissolver gas volumes level” are somewhat related in that the“gas dissolving pressure” needs to be high enough to dissolve orotherwise force the desired “minimum dissolver gas volumes level” of thegas into the liquid.

A computer control 122 can selectively formulate and make a wide varietyof gas infused and non-gas infused beverages 118. As example and not alimitation, computer control 122 can dispense at least one of a microingredient and gas infused beverage diluent liquid 702 in apredetermined volumetric ratio to form a gas infused beverage. Thecomputer control 122 can further comprise a computer readable medium 172which can be encoded with instructions to operate the beverage makingmachine 100, the methods of the present invention, control operation ofthe beverage making machine 100, data communicate across the globalnetwork 604, with data processing resources 606, with wireless device602, and/or encoded with instructions for effectuating other types andkinds of activities, as may be required and/or desired in a particularembodiment.

A computer control 122 can be an embedded system, PC computer baseddesign, micro controller based design (examples MOTOROLA, MICROCHIP,ZILOG, others), run LINUX, WINDOWS (examples CE, EMBEDDED, XP, other),ANDROID, or other suitable operating systems, and/or can be other typesand kinds of computer control systems, as may be required and/or desiredin a particular embodiment.

In another example and not a limitation, computer control 122 candispense at least one of a micro ingredient and non-gas infused beveragediluent liquid 702 in a predetermined volumetric ratio to form a non-gasinfused beverage.

In another example and not a limitation, the computer control 122 candispense both gas infused beverage diluent liquid 702 and non-gasinfused beverage diluent liquid 702 in a predetermined volumetric ratioto control the volumes of the gas infused in the final beverage. In thisregard, a gas infused beverage diluent liquid could have a higher thanneeded volumes of gas dissolved in the liquid, for example and not alimitation, greater than 4 volumes. To reduce the gas volumes in thefinal beverage, the gas infused beverage diluent liquid can be mixedwith a non-gas infused beverage diluent liquid, which will reduce bydilution the volumes of the beverage formed to the desired level. Anadvantage in this approach is that beverages can be produced withdifferent gas infusion volume levels from the same beverage makingmachine 100. As an extension of this embodiment, the adjustedgas-infused volumes level of the beverage diluent liquid can be mixedwith at least one of a micro ingredient to form the final beverage invessel 118.

In another exemplary embodiment, a beverage making machine 100 cancomprise a first beverage making cartridge 200, further comprising atleast one of a gas source portion 228, the gas source portion 228contains a solid gas source 202 that through sublimation emits a gas704. A gas storage tank 108 can be arranged to store the gas 704 emittedfrom the solid gas source 202. A second beverage making cartridge 200can comprise at least one of a micro ingredient 214. A beverage diluentreceptacle 102 can be used for receiving a beverage diluent liquid 702.A dissolver 104 dissolves a portion of the gas 704, from the gas storagetank 108, into the beverage diluent liquid 702. A dispenser 120selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of at least one of the microingredient 214 and the beverage diluent liquid 702, to form a beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, the solid gas source portion 228 canfurther comprise a one-way vent 204, which allows the gas 704 to escapethe solid gas source portion while preventing air from entering thesolid gas source packaging, wherein the environment enclosing the solidgas source 202 remains sterile while emitting the gas 704.

In another exemplary embodiment, the beverage making machine 100 canfurther comprise a plurality of valves, a plurality of sensors, aplurality of pumps, and a computer control 122 interconnected with atleast some of the plurality of valves, the plurality of sensors, and theplurality of pumps, the computer control 122 receives a beverageselection from a consumer and controls the beverage making machine toform the beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a beverage making machine 100 cancomprise at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 which canfurther comprise at least one of a micro ingredient portion 230 and agas source portion 228, the micro ingredient portion contains at leastone of a micro ingredient 214, the gas source portion contains a solidgas source 202 that through sublimation emits a gas 704. A gas storagetank 108 can be arranged to store the gas 704 and a beverage diluentreceptacle 102 can be provided for receiving a beverage diluent liquid702. A dissolver dissolves a portion of the gas 704, from the gasstorage tank 108, into the beverage diluent liquid 702. A dispenser canselectively dispense a predefined ratio of the micro ingredient 214 andthe beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, the dispenser 120 can further comprisea micro ingredient selector 150 for selecting which, if any, of themicro ingredient 214 is mixed with the beverage diluent liquid to formthe beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a beverage making machine can compriseat least one of a beverage cartridge 200 which can further comprise atleast one of a micro ingredient portion 230, a gas source portion 228,and a gas dissolver portion 140, the gas source portion 228 contains asolid gas source 202 that through sublimation emits a gas 704. A gasstorage tank can be arranged to store the gas 704. A beverage diluentreceptacle 102 can route at least a portion of a beverage diluent liquid702 to the dissolver portion 104. The dissolver 104 dissolves at least aportion of the gas 702, from the gas storage tank 108, into the beveragediluent liquid. A dispenser 120 selectively dispenses a predefined ratioof at least one of the micro ingredient 214 and the beverage diluentliquid to form a beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a beverage making machine 100 cancomprise a beverage making cartridge 200 which can further comprise atleast one of a micro ingredient portion 230, a gas source portion 228,and a gas dissolver portion 104, the micro ingredient portion containsat least one of a micro ingredient, the gas source portion 228 containsa solid gas source 202 that through sublimation emits a gas 704. A gasstorage tank 108 can be arranged to store the gas 704. A beveragediluent receptacle 102 for routing at least a portion of a beveragediluent liquid 702 to the dissolver portion 104. The dissolver 104dissolves at least a portion of the gas 704, from the gas storage tank108, into the beverage diluent liquid 702, the gas source portion 228 isarranged to thermally couple the gas source 202 to the beverage diluentreceptacle 102 cooling the beverage diluent liquid 702. A dispenser 120selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of the micro ingredient 214 andthe beverage diluent liquid 702 to form a beverage.

For disclosure purposes the shaded blocks in at least FIGS. 7-8 and15A-16 denote a changeable supply, ingredient, or functional device(such as filer 222). In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not alimitation, such a changeable supply can preferably be a beverage makingcartridge that can be interchanged to resupply the beverage makingmachine with solid gas sources, micro ingredients, filters, and/or othertypes and kinds of changeable supplies, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8 there is illustrated a beverage making machine 100,which utilizes more than one of an aroma enhanced solid gas. In anexemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in at least FIG. 3 an aromaenhanced solid gas source can be produced and packaged in a beveragemaking cartridge 200. Since the solid gas source now contains an aroma,the gas produced will contain aroma molecules. As such, the gas must bekept separate from other gas supplies so that the aroma will not mixand/or be diluted by other gas sources. As such, more than one of anaroma enhanced solid gas source can be separately inserted into beveragemaking cartridge receptacles 110A-B, which are part of the gasgeneration and storage system 106. The aroma enhanced solid gas sourcecan then sublimate, emitting a gas which can be captured and stored inseparate sections of a gas storage tank 108A-B. In this regard, gasstorage tank section 108A is kept from mixing with gas storage tank108B. There is no limit to the number of separate gas storage tanksections that gas storage tank 108 or a plurality of gas storage tanks108 can be divided into, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

Pumps, valves, and/or regulators 138A-B also referred to as gas transfersystem 138A-B can separately effectuate the transfer of the differentand separated aroma enhanced emitted gas 704, from the solid gas sourceto separate gas storage tank section 108A-B. To avoid over pressureconditions, within the separate gas storage tank sections 108A-B, pumps,valves, mixers, and/or regulators 140A-B can be arranged to vent the gasin over pressure conditions, thus holding the various tank storagesections at a predetermined upper gas pressure limit when pressurizing.

A gas transfer system 128A-B can separately control the supply ofseparate aroma enhanced gases and pressure level maintained within thedissolver 104. A pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulator 130 can controlthe flow of aroma enhanced gas infused beverage diluent liquid to thedispenser 120.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not a limitation, as alsodescribed in at least FIG. 7, the beverage diluent liquid 702 can besupplied to the beverage diluent receptacle 102 and optionally filteredby way of the beverage diluent filter 222, which can be packaged in abeverage making cartridge 200 and inserted into the beverage diluentfilter receptacle 116. Beverage diluent liquid 702 can be routed toeither dissolver 104 or the dispenser 120, by way of pump, valve, mixer,and/or regulators 124 and 126. Micro ingredients 214 can be packagedinto beverage making cartridges 200 and each of the beverage makingcartridges enclosures can be inserted into beverage making cartridgereceptacles (for micro ingredients) 114A-D. A series of pumps, valves,and/or regulators 132A-B can control the flow of the micro ingredientsto the dispenser 120.

With respect to beverage cartridge receptacles 114C and 114D, thesereceptacles can be optionally utilized to supply a micro ingredientwhich is a sweetener in beverage making cartridge receptacle 114C and/orto supply a micro ingredient which is a non-nutritive sweetener inbeverage making cartridge receptacle 114D. In an exemplary embodimentsweetener from beverage making cartridge receptacle 114C and/ornon-nutritive sweetener from beverage making cartridge receptacle 114Dcan be routed to the dispenser 120 and mixed with other fluid streams toform the beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of making a beverage, in abeverage making machine 100, can include increasing the retained volumeof gas in the beverage after dispense into a vessel 118, this can beaccomplished by mixing the beverage diluent liquid with a microingredient, either sweetener in beverage making cartridge receptacle114C and/or non-nutritive sweetener in beverage making cartridgereceptacle 114D, to form an enhanced beverage diluent liquid. The gascan then be dissolved into the enhanced beverage diluent liquid. Whencompared to dissolving gas into the beverage diluent liquid only, theenhanced beverage diluent liquid can exhibit a higher volume ofdissolved gas.

Such a method, in the present invention, can include mixing on inletinto a dissolver 104 a predefined ratio of a beverage diluent liquid 702and a micro ingredient to form an enhanced beverage diluent liquid. Thismicro ingredient in this case is sweetener in beverage making cartridgereceptacle 114C and/or non-nutritive sweetener in beverage makingcartridge receptacle 114D. The gas can then be injected into thedissolver 104 at a pressure to cause the gas to dissolve into theenhanced beverage diluent liquid. A predetermined amount of the gas canbe dissolved into the enhanced beverage diluent liquid. The enhancedbeverage diluent liquid can then be mixed with at least one of a secondmicro ingredient 114A-B to form the beverage. The beverage can then bedispensed by way of dispenser 120 into a vessel 118, wherein as thebeverage leaves the higher pressure environment of the dissolver 104 andenters standard atmospheric conditions of the vessel 118, the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid causes the gas to be retained in the beverage inhigher concentration instead of being released to the atmosphere suchthat the volumes of the gas in the beverage, after dispense, isincreased versus alternative method of dissolving the gas into thebeverage diluent liquid only.

A computer control 122 can then selectively formulate and make a widevariety of gas infused and non-gas infused beverages 118. As example andnot a limitation, computer control 122 can select at least one of thearoma enhanced gases and infuse at least a portion of the beveragediluent liquid with the aroma enhanced gas by way of the dissolver 104.Once infused, at least one of a micro ingredients and an aroma enhancedgas infused beverage diluent liquid 702 can be dispensed in apredetermined volumetric ratio to form an aroma enhanced gas infusedbeverage in vessel 118. As example, tea aroma when tea leaves, used asan ingredient, is brewed, or coffee aroma when coffee, used as aningredient, is brewed, or fresh squeezed citrus aroma, when beingsqueezed or when citrus is processed to extract aroma, or other aromawhen brewing, fermenting, squeezing, or other preparation process isused with other ingredients.

In another example and not a limitation, computer control 122 candispense at least one of a micro ingredient and non-gas infused beveragediluent liquid 702 in a predetermined volumetric ratio to form a non-gasinfused beverage in vessel 118.

In another example and not a limitation, the computer control 122 candispense both aroma enhanced gas infused beverage diluent liquid 702 andnon-gas infused beverage diluent liquid 702, in a predeterminedvolumetric ratio, to control the volumes of the gas infused into thebeverage. In this regard, the aroma enhanced gas infused into thebeverage diluent liquid can have a higher than desired volumes of gasdissolved in the liquid, for example and not a limitation, greater thannine volumes. To adjust the gas volumes, the aroma enhanced gas infusedbeverage diluent liquid can be mixed with a portion of the non-gasinfused beverage diluent liquid. This has the effect of reducing bydiluting the volumes of gas to the desired level in the beverage. Anadvantage in this approach is that beverages can be produced withdifferent gas infusion volume levels from the same beverage makingmachine. The adjusted beverage diluent liquid can then be mixed with atleast one of a micro ingredient to form the final beverage in vessel118.

For disclosure purposes the shaded blocks in at least FIGS. 7-8 and15A-16 denote a changeable supply, ingredient, or functional device(such as filer 222). In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not alimitation, such a changeable supply can preferably be a beverage makingcartridge that can be interchanged to resupply the beverage makingmachine with solid gas sources, micro ingredients, filters, and/or othertypes and kinds of changeable supplies, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9 there is illustrated one example of a beveragemaking machine 100 comprising multiple dispensers 120A-B. In anexemplary embodiment, a single beverage making machine 100 can beconfigured with more than one dispenser 120. An advantage to thisconfiguration is that more than one beverage can be made at a time. Inhigh volume beverage making locations, such as quick serve restaurants,there is a need to make beverages quickly to meet consumer demand. Assuch, the beverage making machine 100 of the present invention can beconfigured with more than one dispenser 120 in a single beverage makingmachine to accommodate the demands of high volume beverage makinglocations. For disclosure purpose there is shown in FIG. 9 a dualdispenser 120A-B configuration. It is note though that in otherexemplary embodiments three, four, or more dispenser 120 can beconfigured into a single beverage making machine 100, as may be requiredand/or desired in a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10 there is illustrated one example of a beveragemaking machine 100 utilizing at least one of a beverage making machinecartridge 200, which is stored in a refrigerated appliance 402, separatefrom the beverage making machine 100. In an exemplary embodiment, andwith reference to the methods illustrated in at least FIG. 29, arefrigerated appliance can be utilized to chill and store the beveragemaking cartridges 200 instead of leaving the cartridges in the beveragemaking machine 100.

There are several advantages to storing the beverage making cartridges200 in a refrigerated appliance 402. One such advantage can be chillingthe beverage diluent in a beverage making cartridge 200 in arefrigerated appliance 402 prior to beverage making. In this regard,when cold beverage diluent liquid is used in beverage making it iseasier to infuse gas and more refreshing to drink a cold beverage. In anexemplary embodiment, chilling the beverage diluent liquid approaching32 degrees Fahrenheit, prior to dissolving the gas into the beveragediluent liquid, increases the solubility of the gas into the beveragediluent liquid. Thus allowing higher volumes of gas level to be obtainedin a shorter amount of time. In addition, this can cause the gas infusedbeverage diluent liquid to reach dissolved equilibrium and hold the gasinfusion better when dispensed. As such, throughput of producing gasinfused beverage diluent can be increased.

Another advantage can be chilling the micro ingredients in a beveragemaking cartridge in a refrigerated appliance 402 can extend the shelflife of the micro ingredients. In this regard, such sensitive microingredients can include, for example and not a limitation, dairy, soy,fruit based, microbiological sensitive ingredients, and/or other typesand kinds of ingredients that are quickly perishable ingredients whenexposed to unrefrigerated environments for a prolonged period of time,and/or as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, reference label ‘A’ illustrates a consumer 302removing at least one beverage making cartridge 200 from a refrigeratedappliance 402. Reference label ‘B’ illustrates the consumer 302 thenplacing the beverage making cartridge 200 into a beverage making machine100. Reference label ‘C’ illustrates the beverage making machine formingthe beverage in vessel 118. Reference label ‘D’ illustrates the consumerthen removing the beverage making cartridge 200, from the beveragemaking machine, and returning the cartridge to the refrigeratedappliance 402. In an exemplary embodiment, the consumer can refill thebeverage making cartridge with beverage diluent liquid as necessary.With regards to consumables such as micro ingredients and the solid gassource, as required non-refillable beverage making cartridges can bediscarded and replaced with new beverage making cartridges to replenishthe consumable supply.

Referring to FIG. 11, with reference also to at least FIGS. 31A-B, thereis illustrated one example of combining beverage diluent liquid fluidflows (with and without gas infusion) with at least one of a microingredient flow to control the volumes of gas in a formed beverage.Illustrated in the Figure are multiple incoming liquid streams that cancomprise micro ingredients, at least two beverage diluent liquids (withand without gas infusion), and/or other types and kinds of liquidstreams, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.The streams converge on the dispenser 120 or a mixer 150. The mixedstreams can then be dispensed to form the beverage having a selectablelevel of dissolved gas into a vessel 118.

In an exemplary embodiment, one method of making a beverage comprising agas in a beverage making machine 100 includes pressurizing a gas storagetank 108, which is arranged to store a gas emitted from the solid gassource. A beverage diluent liquid 702 can be supplied into a dissolver.A dissolver 104 can be utilized to dissolve a portion of the gas intothe beverage diluent liquid at a minimum dissolver gas volumes level.The minimum dissolver gas volumes level is a higher gas volumes levelthan what is needed in the final beverage; perhaps in the range of 5-11gas volumes level. A blended beverage diluent liquid can be createdhaving a selectable target gas volumes level by diluting volumetricallythe beverage diluent liquid from the dissolver 104 comprising the gaswith the beverage diluent liquid which is absence the gas, to form theblended beverage diluent liquid having the predefined target gas volumeslevel. The final beverage can be formed and/or dispensed by selectivelyadding a predefined ratio of a micro ingredient and the blended beveragediluent liquid to form the beverage.

Use of the term “minimum dissolver gas volumes level”, in the presentinvention, is intended to mean the least amount of gas volumes dissolvedinto the beverage diluent liquid, while the beverage diluent liquid isin the dissolver or stored elsewhere in the beverage making machineunder pressure. In general, the minimum dissolver gas volumes level isin the range of 3 to 11 gas volume levels, under pressure, inside thebeverage making machine. Once dispensed the gas volumes level drops withthe corresponding drop from high pressure to atmospheric pressure.

Use of the term “target gas volumes level”, in the present invention, isintended to mean the desired gas volumes level of the final beveragedispensed into vessel 118. In general, the gas volumes level will needto be higher in the dissolver to accommodate for the loss of gas whenthe gas infused beverage diluent liquid transition from a high pressureenvironment inside the beverage making machine tanks, tubes, etc. to thelow pressure atmospheric conditions with the beverage dispensed into thevessel 118 environment. As such, the target gas volumes level is the gasvolumes level you end up with in the when the beverage is formed anddispensed into the consumer's vessel 118. For most cases the target gasvolumes level will be less than four volumes of dissolved gas into thefinal beverage composition.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of making a beveragecomprising a gas in a beverage making machine can comprise inserting atleast one of a beverage making cartridge 200 into the beverage makingmachine 100, the beverage making cartridge 200 including at least one ofa solid gas source 202 that through sublimation emits a gas. A gasstorage tank can be arranged to store a gas in a gas storage tank. Abeverage diluent liquid can be supplied into the dissolver and thedissolver can dissolve a portion of the gas into the beverage diluentliquid at a minimum dissolver gas volumes level. Once dissolved, ablended beverage diluent liquid can be created having a selectabletarget gas volumes level by diluting volumetrically the beverage diluentliquid, from the dissolver, comprising the gas with the beverage diluentliquid, which is absence the gas, to form the blended beverage diluentliquid having the predefined target gas volumes level. A beverage canthen be dispensed or otherwise formed by selectively dispensing apredefined ratio of the micro ingredient and the blended beveragediluent liquid to form the beverage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a dissolver 104 can be incorporatedinto the beverage making cartridge 200. In this regard, the beveragemaking cartridge 200 can then be utilized to dissolve the gas into thebeverage diluent liquid. This places the functionality for dissolvingthe gas into the beverage diluent liquid in the beverage makingcartridge 200 instead of the beverage making machine 100. As such, abeverage making machine which is not equipped with a dissolver 104 canby way of a dissolver 104 equipment beverage making cartridge 200 makegas infused beverages.

In another exemplary embodiment, an infrared sensor system 160comprising an infrared light source and an infrared receiver sensor candata communicate with a computer control 122 and be used to look throughthe beverage diluent liquid. If Carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as the gasand the beverage diluent liquid is clear (like water), the dissolved gasin the beverage diluent liquid will appear opaque to the infraredreceiver sensor essentially blocking the infrared light source fromreaching the sensor. The more dissolved gas the more opaque. As such,the amount of infrared light passing through the beverage diluent liquidis proportional to the amount of CO2 dissolved in the beverage diluentliquid. This correlation can be used to measure the dissolved CO2 levelor volumes in the beverage diluent as the liquid is being dispensed andthe gas infused and non-gas infused beverage diluent sources can each bethrottled accordingly to set the dissolved volumes level at the desiredvalue.

As example, if the infrared sensor system 160 indicates the dissolvedCO2 level is too low then the gas infused beverage diluent liquid flowcan be increased, by way of pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulators 130,or the non-gas infused beverage diluent liquid flow can be decreased, byway of pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulators 124. Conversely, if theinfrared sensor system 160 indicates that the dissolved CO2 level is toohigh then the gas infused beverage diluent liquid flow can be decreased,by way of pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulators 130, or the non-gasinfused beverage diluent liquid flow can be increased, by way of pump,valve, mixer, and/or regulators 124. A micro ingredient, by way of pump,valve, mixer, and/or regulators 132 can also be mixed with the beveragediluent liquid to form the beverage which can be dispensed into vessel118. The pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulators 124, 130, and 132 candata communicate with computer control 122 or otherwise are operableand/or controllable by way of computer control 122 or other controlsystems, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, reference label ‘A’, there is illustrated oneexample of a dissolver 104 for dissolving gas into the beverage diluentliquid, such method being effectuated by way of a gas permeable hollowfiber tube style dissolver 104. In an exemplary embodiment, a gaspermeable hollow fiber tube can be used as a dissolver 104. In thisregard, beverage diluent liquid 702 can enter the dissolver, by wayinlet 154. A series of small gas permeable tubes forming a dissolvingchamber 152A can allow the beverage diluent liquid to pass through thedissolver 104 and exit the dissolver 104 by way of an outlet 158. Gas704 under pressure can enter the dissolver by way of a gas inlet 156.The tubes are permeable to the gas 704 and as such, the gas passesthrough the walls of the tubes and dissolves in the beverage diluentliquid. Surface area of the beverage diluent liquid is increased withthis design making it easier for the gas 704 to dissolve in the beveragediluent liquid 702. A series of pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulator130, as well as gas transfer system 128 can control the inlet,dissolving of the gas 704, and outlet of the beverage diluent liquid 702operating the dissolver 104 in an on demand continuous batch method toproduce gas infused beverage diluent liquid for use in beverage making.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not a limitation, inoperation, the dissolver 104 can be a gas permeable hollow fiber tube,as illustrated in FIG. 12 and the steps for dissolving gas into thebeverage diluent liquid can comprise introducing the beverage diluentliquid 702 into the gas permeable hollow fiber tube dissolving chamber152A, the gas permeable hollow fiber tube dissolving chamber 152Areceives a fixed volume of the beverage diluent liquid 702. The gas 704can then be injected, at a gas dissolving pressure to obtain the minimumdissolver gas volumes level, into the gas permeable hollow fiber tubedissolving chamber 152A. A brief time period is allowed so that thebeverage diluent liquid and the gas inside the gas permeable hollowfiber tube chamber 152A to dissolve into one another and reachequilibrium. The brief time period can range from a few seconds tominutes depending on factors such as beverage diluent liquid volume andtemperature, gas pressure, desired volumes of gas diffused into thebeverage diluent liquid, permeability of the small fiber tubes (how easydoes it pass the gas to the beverage diluent liquid), beverage formingrequirements, and/or other factors. After gas-liquid equilibrium isreached, the beverage diluent liquid can be released from the gaspermeable hollow fiber tube dissolving chamber 152A, and exit thedissolver 104, ready for use in beverage forming.

In another exemplary embodiment, the gas, as a fluid moving force, canbe used to eject the gas infused beverage diluent liquid from the gaspermeable hollow fiber tube dissolving chamber 152A. Alternatively, andas needed, a series of pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulator 130, as wellas gas transfer system 128 can control the inlet, dissolving of the gas704 and outlet of the beverage diluent liquid 702, operating thedissolver 104 in an on-demand continuous batch method to produce gasinfused beverage diluent liquid for use in beverage making.

In another exemplary embodiment, with reference to at least FIG. 12,reference label ‘B’ and FIG. 30, a beverage making machine 100 formaking a beverage having an increased retained volume of gas 704 in thebeverage after dispense into a vessel 118, by mixing a beverage diluentliquid 702 with at least ones of a micro ingredient 214 to form anenhanced beverage diluent liquid, and then dissolving the gas 704 intothe enhanced beverage diluent liquid versus dissolving the gas 704 intothe beverage diluent liquid only, the beverage making machine comprisingat least one of a micro ingredient receptacle 114 for receiving abeverage making cartridge 200 which further comprises at least one of amicro ingredient 214. A beverage diluent receptacle 102 can be includedfor supplying a beverage diluent liquid. A gas storage tank 108 can beincluded for supplying a gas 704.

Continuing in this exemplary embodiment, a dissolver comprising a gasinlet 156, a sweetener inlet 164, a non-nutritive sweetener inlet 166, abeverage diluent liquid inlet 154, at least a first dissolving chamber152B, and a second dissolving chamber 152D each having an inlet end 168for receiving the sweetener 214A, the non-nutritive sweetener 214B andthe beverage diluent liquid 702, and an outlet end 170 where thesweetener 214A, the non-nutritive sweetener 214B, the beverage diluentliquid 702, and combinations thereof can exit, each of the firstdissolving chamber 152B and the second dissolving chamber 152D ispartitioned and arranged to prevent mixing between the first and thesecond dissolving chamber 152B/152D, each of the first and seconddissolving chamber 152B/152D is also arranged to allow the gas 704supplied, from the gas inlet 156, to permeate liquids in each of thefirst and second dissolving chamber 152B.152D.

Continuing in this exemplary embodiment, a computer control 122comprising a computer readable medium 172 encoded with instructions formixing on inlet into the dissolver 104 a predefined ratio of a beveragediluent liquid 702 and a micro ingredient 214 to form an enhancedbeverage diluent liquid, the micro ingredient 214 being a sweetener 214Aor a non-nutritive sweetener 214B or a combination thereof.

In operation, in this embodiment, the gas 704 can be injected into thedissolver 104 at a gas dissolving pressure to cause the gas 704 todissolve into the enhanced beverage diluent liquid. A predeterminedamount of the gas can be dissolved into the enhanced beverage diluentliquid. The enhanced beverage diluent liquid can be mixed with at leastone of a second micro ingredient to form the beverage. The beverage fromthe beverage making machine can be dispensed into a vessel.

Resultant in this embodiment is that, as the beverage leaves the higherpressure environment of the dissolver 104 and enters standardatmospheric conditions of the vessel 118, the enhanced beverage diluentliquid causes the gas 704 to be retained in the beverage in higherconcentration, instead of being more easily released to the atmosphere,such that the volumes of the gas 704 in the beverage, after dispense, isincreased versus having dissolved the gas 704 into the beverage diluentliquid only.

In another exemplary embodiment, with reference to at least FIG. 12,reference label ‘B’ and at least FIGS. 30A-B, a beverage making machine100 for making a beverage that has an increased retained volume of gasin the beverage, after dispense, into a vessel 118, can be effectuatedby mixing a beverage diluent liquid 702 with at least ones of a microingredient, either sweetener 214A and/or non-nutritive sweetener 214B inthis embodiment, to form an enhanced beverage diluent liquid. The gas704 can then be dissolved into the enhanced beverage diluent liquid.When compared to dissolving the gas into the beverage diluent liquidonly, the enhanced beverage diluent liquid can exhibit a higher volumeof dissolved gas.

In operation, in this embodiment, the beverage making machine 100 cancomprise at least one of a micro ingredient receptacle for receiving abeverage making cartridge comprising at least one of a micro ingredient,a beverage diluent receptacle 102 for supplying a beverage diluentliquid 702, a gas storage tank 108 for supplying a gas 704, and adissolver 104 comprising a gas inlet 156, a sweetener inlet 164, anon-nutritive sweetener inlet 166, a beverage diluent liquid inlet 154,at least a first dissolving chamber 152B, and a second dissolvingchamber 152D, each having an inlet end 168 for receiving the sweetener214A, the non-nutritive sweetener 214B and the beverage diluent liquid702, and an outlet end 170 where the sweetener 214A, the non-nutritivesweetener 214B, the beverage diluent liquid 702, and combinationsthereof can exit the chamber, each of the first dissolving chamber 152Band second dissolving chamber 152D is partitioned with a partition 162,which is arranged to prevent mixing between the first dissolving chamber152B and second dissolving chamber 152D, each of the first dissolvingchamber 152B and the second dissolving chamber 152D are also arranged toallow the gas 704 supplied, from the gas inlet 156, to permeate liquidsin each of the first dissolving chamber 152B and the second dissolvingchamber 152D.

Continuing in this exemplary embodiment, a computer control 122 can beused to effectuate the making of a beverage. In this regard, thecomputer control 122 can comprise a computer readable medium 172 encodedwith instructions for selecting a beverage type containing a sweetener214A, a non-nutritive sweetener 214B, or a combination thereof, whereintwo of the micro ingredient can be the sweetener 214A and thenon-nutritive sweetener 214B. Based on the beverage type selection, afirst and/or second case can follow.

In a first case, if the beverage type selected contains the sweetener214 then on inlet into the dissolver 104 a predefined ratio of abeverage diluent liquid 702, from the beverage diluent inlet 154 and thesweetener 214A, from the sweetener inlet 164 can be mixed to form theenhanced beverage diluent liquid. Fluid flow can then direct theenhanced beverage diluent liquid through the first dissolving chamber152B. The gas can be injected into the dissolver 104, by way of gasinlet 156, at a gas dissolving pressure to cause the gas to dissolveinto the enhanced beverage diluent liquid. The beverage can then exitthe dissolver proximate the outlet end 170, by way of outlet 158, andoptionally mixed further with other micro ingredients and ultimatelydispensed into the vessel 118.

In a second case, if the beverage type selected contains thenon-nutritive sweetener 214B, then on inlet to the dissolver 104 apredefined ratio of a beverage diluent liquid 702, from the beveragediluent inlet 154 and the non-nutritive sweetener 214B, from thenon-nutritive sweetener inlet 166 can be mixed to form the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid. Fluid flow can then direct the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid through the second dissolving chamber 152D. Thegas can be injected into the dissolver 104, by way of gas inlet 156, ata gas dissolving pressure to cause the gas to dissolve into the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid. The beverage can then exit the dissolverproximate the outlet end 170, by way of outlet 158, and optionally bemixed further with other micro ingredients and ultimately dispensed intothe vessel 118.

Resultant in this embodiment is that, as the beverage leaves the higherpressure environment of the dissolver 104 and enters standardatmospheric conditions of the vessel 118, the enhanced beverage diluentliquid causes the gas 704 to be retained in the beverage in higherconcentration, instead of being more easily released to the atmosphere,such that the volumes of the gas in the beverage, after dispense, isincreased versus having dissolved the gas 704 into the beverage diluentliquid only.

The dissolver 104 can further comprise a third dissolving chamber 152Cfor dissolving gas 704 into the beverage diluent liquid 702 only, thethird dissolving chamber 152C also having the inlet end 168 and theoutlet end 170 and is partitioned, by a partition 162, and arranged toprevent mixing between the first dissolving chamber 152B, the seconddissolving chamber 152D, and the third dissolving chamber 152C isarranged to allow the gas 704 supplied, from the gas inlet 156, topermeate liquids in the third dissolving chamber 152C.

Referring to FIG. 13 there is illustrated one example of dissolving gasinto the beverage diluent liquid 702, by way of a tank style dissolver104. In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage diluent liquid 702 canenter a dissolver 104 tank. The tank can be sized for convenientcapacities and as necessary to support the demand of consumer's makingquantities of beverages, from the beverage making machine 100, over apredetermined time period. As example, maybe an eight to thirty twoounce tank is suitable for home and office use, whereas maybe a thirtytwo to sixty four or one hundred twenty eight ounce tank is suitable forquick service restaurants.

Once the beverage diluent liquid is in the tank, the gas under pressurecan be injected and dissolved into the beverage diluent liquid. A brieftime period is allowed so that the beverage diluent liquid and the gasinside the tank dissolve into one another and reach equilibrium. Thebrief time period can range from a few seconds to minutes depending onfactors such as beverage diluent liquid volume and temperature, gaspressure, desired volumes of gas diffused into the beverage diluentliquid, surface area of the gas liquid interface and/or other factorsand dependent on the particular embodiment and beverage formingrequirements. After equilibrium is reached, the beverage diluent liquidcan be released from the tank, the dissolver 104, and used in beverageforming.

Other types of sensors, such as level sensors, and carbonation levelsensors can be used with the tank style dissolvers. In addition, arefrigerator can be used to chill the beverage diluent liquid insideand/or outside the dissolver 104 tank. Other embodiments can alsoinclude vents to release gas in dissolver 104 tank over pressuresituations, dip tubes to draw the beverage diluent out of the tank, byway of the top of the tank, by removing the liquid from the bottomfirst. Furthermore, aerators, recirculation pumps, and other devices canalso be used in specific embodiments to improve the performance of thetank style dissolver 104, as may be required and/or desire in aparticular embodiment.

For disclosure purposes the gas permeable hollow fiber tube styledissolver 104 of at least FIG. 12 and the tank style dissolver 104 of atleast FIG. 13 are just two examples of dissolvers 104. In this regard,other types and kids of dissolvers 104 can be configured andimplemented, as may be required and/or desired in a particularembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14 there are illustrated examples of differentbeverage making cartridge 200 configurations, for use by a beveragemaking machine 100 in forming a beverage. In an exemplary embodiment,for example and not a limitation, there can be numerous combinations ofthe solid gas source 202 with micro ingredients 214, and with differentfunctional components, such as with dissolver 104 (illustrated in atleast FIGS. 19-23), that form the functional design of the beveragemaking cartridge 200.

Beverage making cartridge 200 can even include a beverage diluentreceptacle 102 for holding the beverage diluent liquid 702. Such featurebeing particularly useful when it is desired to remove the beveragemaking 200 cartridge from the beverage making machine 100 and store thecartridge in a refrigerated appliance, such as refrigerated appliance402 (illustrated in at least FIG. 10). Furthermore, fluid handlingcomponents 144 (illustrated in at least FIGS. 19-20 and 22-23), mixers150, and beverage diluent filters 222 can be integrated into the designof a particular beverage making cartridge 200, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

Several of the embodiments are mentioned below; however for disclosurepurposes these are but a few examples of the numerous combinations thatcan be rendered in the context of the present invention.

Use of the term ‘gas source portion’ or ‘gas source portion 228’, in thepresent invention, is intended to mean the portion of the beveragemaking cartridge 200 that has been sectioned off or otherwise dedicatedto housing the solid gas source 202. Such sectioning off can includerelative position in a beverage making cartridge 200, a physical barrierthrough which entry and exit are controlled, sealed areas and/or sterileareas to keep contaminates from infiltrating, and/or other similarconstructs in the spirit of being able to locate the solid gas source202 in a particular location, within the beverage making cartridge 200,and interface the gas source portion 228 and solid gas source 202 tooperate with the beverage making machine 100 and deliver the desiredoutcome of being able to make beverages.

Use of the term ‘micro ingredient portion’ or ‘micro ingredient portion230’, in the present invention, is intended to mean the portion of thebeverage making cartridge 200 that has been sectioned off or otherwisededicated to housing the micro ingredient 214. Such sectioning off caninclude relative position in a beverage making cartridge 200, a physicalbarrier through which entry and exit are controlled, sealed areas and/orsterile areas to keep contaminates from infiltrating, and/or othersimilar constructs in the spirit of being able to locate the microingredient 214 in a particular location, within the beverage makingcartridge 200, and interface the micro ingredient portion 230 and microingredient 214 to operate with the beverage making machine 100 anddeliver the desired outcome of being able to make beverages.

Illustrated in at least FIG. 14 are several beverage making cartridgeexemplary embodiments that utilize a solid gas source, a microingredient, or both. The functionality of the various cartridgeconfigurations ‘A’-‘G’ can be interchangeable to form other uniquecartridge combinations, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment. Additionally, the cartridge combinations andtheir permutations, in at least FIGS. 5, 14, 19-23, can be combined withmore or less of the shown elements and functionality to form othercartridge combination. Furthermore, the cartridge combinations and theirpermutations, in at least FIGS. 5, 14, 19-23, can be combined with otherFigures, concepts, and teachings in the present invention to form yetother combinations of unique beverage making cartridge designs and/orfunctionality, as may be required and/or desired in a particularembodiment.

With reference to reference label ‘A’, in an exemplary embodiment abeverage making cartridge 200, for use by a beverage making machine 100,in forming a beverage, can comprise a beverage making cartridgeenclosure 210, which comprises a gas source portion 228 comprising asolid gas source 202, that through sublimation, emits a gas to bedissolved in a beverage diluent liquid 702. Furthermore, the beveragemaking cartridge enclosure 210 can comprise a one-way vent arranged toallow the gas to escape from the gas source portion while keeping thegas source portion sterile.

With reference to reference label ‘B’, without the movable part 234 andwithout lock element 236, in an exemplary embodiment a beverage makingcartridge 200, for use by a beverage making machine 100, in forming abeverage, can comprise a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210, whichcomprises a gas source portion 202 comprising a solid gas source 202,that through sublimation, emits a gas to be dissolved in a beveragediluent liquid and a micro ingredient portion comprising a microingredient 214, the micro ingredient 214 is dispensed and mixed in apre-defined volumetric ratio of the beverage diluent liquid to form abeverage.

Additional embodiments can include, but are not limited to, the beveragemaking cartridge can further comprise a wall 232 that is movable toforce the micro ingredient 214 to exit the micro ingredient portion. Inaddition, the micro ingredient portion can further comprise a fluidhandler 144 through which the micro ingredient 214 can be extracted fromthe micro ingredient portion.

In other embodiments, the gas source portion and the micro ingredientportion can be arranged to prevent the gas source from contacting theportions of the beverage diluent liquid and the micro ingredient 214used to form the beverage. In addition, the gas source portion canfurther comprise a carbonation gas and an aroma enhancing gas. In anexemplary embodiment, the carbonation gas can be carbon dioxide (CO2),nitrogen, oxygen, an inert gas, or other types and kinds of gas, as maybe required and/or desired in a particular embodiment. Furthermore, thebeverage making cartridge enclosure 210 can further comprise a one-wayvent 204 arranged to allow the gas to escape from the gas source portionwhile keeping the gas source portion sterile.

With reference to reference label ‘C’, in another exemplary embodiment,a beverage making cartridge 200, for use by a beverage making machine100, in forming a beverage can comprise a beverage making cartridgeenclosure 210 which can further comprise a gas source portion 202 and amicro ingredient portion 214 that are attached together and separated byan impermeable barrier 226, the gas source portion comprising a solidgas source 202, that through sublimation emits a gas to be dissolved ina beverage diluent liquid 702, the micro ingredient portion 230comprising a micro ingredient and comprising a wall 232 that is movableto force the micro ingredient to exit the micro ingredient portion, themicro ingredient is dispensed and mixed in a pre-defined volumetricratio with the beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage.

With reference to reference labels ‘C’ and ‘E’, in another exemplaryembodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200, for use by a beveragemaking machine, in forming a beverage can comprise, as illustrated inreference label ‘C’, a gas source portion 228 and a micro ingredientportion 230, which are attached together and separated from each otherby an impermeable barrier 226, the gas source portion 228 furthercomprising a solid gas source 202, that through sublimation emits a gasto be dissolved in a beverage diluent liquid 702, the micro ingredientportion comprising a micro ingredient 214, the beverage making cartridge200 having a plane, as better illustrated in reference label ‘E’ wherethe gas source portion 228 is located below the plane and the microingredient portion 230 is located above the plane, wherein the gassource portion 228 is arranged to interact with the beverage makingmachine 100 to dissolve the gas into the beverage diluent liquid 702 andthe micro ingredient portion 230 is arranged to interact with thebeverage making machine 100 to provide the micro ingredient 214 formixing with the beverage diluent liquid 702, the gas source portion 228and the micro ingredient portion 230 are arranged to prevent the solidgas source 202 from contacting portions of the beverage diluent liquid702 and the micro ingredient 214 which are used to form a beverage, themicro ingredient 214 is dispensed and mixed in a pre-defined volumetricratio with the beverage diluent liquid 702 to form a beverage.

With reference to reference label ‘D’, in an exemplary embodiment, abeverage making cartridge 200, for use by a beverage making machine 100in forming a beverage can comprise a beverage making cartridge enclosure210 further comprising a micro ingredient portion 230 which comprises amicro ingredient 214. The micro ingredient 214 being dispensed and mixedwith the beverage diluent liquid (with or without gas infusion) to formthe beverage in a vessel 118. The micro ingredient portion 228 canfurther comprise an inlet port 238 through which beverage diluent liquid702 (with or without gas infusion) can enter the micro ingredientportion 228 and mix with the micro ingredient 214. Furthermore, themicro ingredient portion 228 can further comprise an outlet port 240through which beverage diluent liquid 702 (with or without gas infusion)can exit the micro ingredient portion 228 after mixing with the microingredient 214.

With reference to reference label ‘E’, in an exemplary embodiment abeverage making cartridge 200 for forming a beverage, can comprise abeverage making cartridge enclosure 210, which comprises a gas sourceportion 228 and a micro ingredient portion 230, that are separated fromeach other, the gas source portion 228 partially surrounding the microingredient portion 230 and comprising a solid gas source 202 foremitting a gas to be dissolved in a beverage diluent liquid 702, themicro ingredient portion 230 comprising a micro ingredient 214, the gassource portion 228, and the micro ingredient portion 230 are arranged toprevent the solid gas source 202 from contacting portions of thebeverage diluent liquid 702 and the micro ingredient 214 which are usedto form a beverage, the micro ingredient 214 is dispensed and mixed in apre-defined volumetric ratio, with the beverage diluent liquid 702, toform the beverage.

With reference to reference label ‘F’, in an exemplary embodiment abeverage making cartridge 200, for forming a beverage, can comprise abeverage making cartridge enclosure 210, which comprises a gas sourceportion 228, a micro ingredient portion 230 and vessel portion 118 thatare separated from each other, the gas source portion 228 comprising asolid gas source 202 for emitting a gas to be dissolved in a beveragediluent liquid 702, the micro ingredient portion 230 comprising a microingredient 214, and the vessel portion 118 arranged to receive the microingredient 214 from the micro ingredient portion 230 and receive thebeverage diluent liquid 702, the gas source portion 228 and the microingredient portion 230 are arranged to prevent the solid gas source 202from contacting portions of the beverage diluent liquid 702 and themicro ingredient 214 which are used in the vessel portion 118 to form abeverage, the micro ingredient 214 is dispensed and mixed in apre-defined volumetric ratio with the beverage diluent liquid 702 toform a beverage.

With reference to reference label ‘G’, in an exemplary embodiment, abeverage making cartridge 200, for forming a beverage, can comprise abeverage making cartridge enclosure 210, which comprises a gas sourceportion 228, a micro ingredient portion 230, and at least one of abeverage diluent liquid receptacle 102, a dissolver 104, a dispenser120, fluid handling components 144, mixer 150, beverage diluent filter222, (further illustrated in at least FIGS. 5 and 19-23), and/or othertypes and kinds of functional components, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment. The gas source portion 228comprising a solid gas source 202 for emitting a gas to be dissolved ina beverage diluent liquid 702, and the micro ingredient portion 230comprising a micro ingredient 214. The gas source portion 228 and themicro ingredient portion 230 are arranged to prevent the solid gassource 202 from contacting portions of the beverage diluent liquid 702and the micro ingredient 214 used to form a beverage, the microingredient 214 is dispensed and mixed in a pre-defined volumetric ratiowith the beverage diluent liquid 702 (with or without gas infusion) toform a beverage.

With reference to reference label ‘B’ with the movable part 234 andwithout lock element 236, in an exemplary embodiment a beverage makingcartridge 200 for forming a beverage can comprise a beverage makingcartridge enclosure 210 comprising a gas storage portion 228 and a microingredient portion 230 that are separated from each other, the gassource portion 228 comprising a solid gas source 202 for emitting a gasto be dissolved in a beverage diluent liquid 702, the micro ingredientportion 230 further comprising a micro ingredient 214, for use inmixing, with the beverage diluent liquid 702 to form a beverage, the gassource portion 228 and micro ingredient portion 230 being closed to anexternal environment. A movable part 234 is attached to the beveragemaking cartridge enclosure 210, the movable part 234 being movablerelative to the beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 to open the gassource portion 228 and/or the micro ingredient portion 230 for emissionof gas from the gas source portion 228, and/or for introducing abeverage diluent liquid 702 into or permitting the micro ingredient 214to exit the micro ingredient portion 230, the gas source portion 228 andmicro ingredient portion 230 are arranged to prevent the solid gassource 202 from contacting portions of the beverage diluent liquid 702and the micro ingredient 214 which are used to form the beverage, themicro ingredient 214 is dispensed and mixed in a pre-defined volumetricratio with the beverage diluent liquid 702 to form a beverage.

With reference to reference label ‘B’ with the movable part 234 and lockelement 236, in an exemplary embodiment a beverage making cartridge 200for forming a beverage can comprise a beverage making cartridgeenclosure 210 comprising a gas source portion 228 and a micro ingredientportion 230 that are separated from each other, the gas source portion230 comprising a solid gas source 202 for emitting a gas to be dissolvedin a beverage diluent liquid 702, the micro ingredient portion 230comprising a micro ingredient 214, the gas source portion 228 and themicro ingredient portion 230 are arranged to prevent the solid gassource 202 from contacting portions of the beverage diluent liquid 702and the micro ingredient 214 which are used to form the beverage. Amovable part 234 attached to the beverage making cartridge enclosure,the movable part 234 being movable relative to the beverage makingcartridge enclosure 210 to configure the beverage making cartridge 220for use in forming the beverage, and a lock element 236 that preventsmovement of the movable part 234 to configure the beverage makingcartridge 200 for use in forming the beverage, the lock element 236being releasable by a user.

With reference to reference label ‘F’, in an exemplary embodiment, abeverage making cartridge 200, for forming a beverage, can comprise abeverage making cartridge enclosure 210 comprising a gas source portion228, a micro ingredient portion 230 and a vessel portion 218 that areseparated from each other, the gas source portion 228 compromising asolid gas source 202 for emitting a gas to be dissolved in a beveragediluent liquid 702, the micro ingredient portion 230 comprising a microingredient 214 for use in mixing with the beverage diluent liquid 702 toform a beverage, and the vessel portion 118 arranged to receive themicro ingredient 214 from the micro ingredient portion 214 and receivethe beverage diluent liquid to mix the beverage diluent liquid with themicro ingredient 214, the gas source portion 228, the micro ingredientportion 230 and the vessel portion 118 are arranged to prevent the solidgas source 202 from contacting the portions of the beverage diluentliquid 702 and the micro ingredient 214 which are used to form thebeverage, wherein the beverage making cartridge 200 is arranged toreceive a first portion of the beverage diluent liquid into the microingredient portion 230 to mix with the micro ingredient 214 so that themixed beverage diluent liquid and micro ingredient 214 enters the vesselportion 118, and the beverage making cartridge 200 is arranged toreceive a second portion of the beverage diluent liquid 702 directlyinto the vessel portion 118 for mixing with the mixed first portion ofthe beverage diluent liquid and the micro ingredient in the vesselportion 118.

With reference to reference label ‘B’ without the movable part 234 andwithout lock element 236, in an exemplary embodiment a beverage makingcartridge 200 for forming a beverage can comprise a beverage makingcartridge enclosure 210 comprising a gas source portion 228 and a microingredient portion 230 that are separated from each other, the gassource portion 228 comprising a solid gas source 202 for emitting a gasthrough a one way vent 204 of the beverage making cartridge enclosure210 to be dissolved in a beverage diluent liquid 702, the microingredient portion 230 comprising a micro ingredient 214 for mixing withthe diluent liquid to form a beverage, the micro ingredient 214 exitingthe beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 by way of a micro ingredientoutlet 240, as reference in reference label ‘D’, wherein the one wayvalve 204 illustrated in at least FIG. 1B and the micro ingredientoutlet 240, as reference in reference label ‘D’, are located on a sameside of the beverage making cartridge enclosure, the gas source portion228 and the micro ingredient portion 230 are arranged to prevent thesolid gas source 202 from contacting the portions of the beveragediluent liquid 702 and the micro ingredient 214 that form the beverage.

With reference to reference label ‘B’ without the movable part 234 andwithout lock element 236, in an exemplary embodiment a beverage makingcartridge 200 for forming a beverage can comprise a beverage makingcartridge enclosure 210 comprising a gas source portion 228 and a microingredient portion 230 that are separated from each other, the gassource portion 228 comprising a solid gas source 202 for emitting a gasto be dissolved in a beverage diluent liquid 702, the micro ingredientportion 230 comprising a micro ingredient 214 for use in mixing with thebeverage diluent liquid 702 to form a beverage, the micro ingredientportion 230 comprising an outlet 240, as reference in reference label‘D’, through which the micro ingredient 214 exits the micro ingredientportion 230, wherein the gas source portion 228 is movable relative tothe micro ingredient portion 230 to force the micro ingredient 214 toexit the micro ingredient portion 230 through the outlet 240, asreference in reference label ‘D’, of the micro ingredient portion, thegas source portion 228 and the micro ingredient portion 230 are arrangedto prevent the gas source 202 from contacting the portions of thebeverage diluent liquid and the micro ingredient 214 that form thebeverage.

Referring to FIGS. 15A-B there are illustrated examples of a gasgeneration and storage system 106. With reference to FIG. 15A, in anexemplary embodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200 comprising atleast a solid gas source 202 or an aroma enhance solid gas source 202Binside, as illustrated in at least FIGS. 1A-B and 3, can be inserted orotherwise interlocked into place, within a beverage making cartridgereceptacle 110. A series of pumps, mixers, valves, and/or regulators 136and 128, which can also be referred to as the gas transfer system 128and 136, can be arranged to receive the emitted gas 704 from theinterlocked beverage making cartridge 200, by way of the beverage makingcartridge receptacle 110, and proceed to transfer the gas storage tank108. The emitted gas 704 pressure from the beverage making cartridge 200comprising the solid gas source is typically not much more than standardatmospheric pressure and is somewhat regulated and determined by theselection of the venting parameters of the sterile one-way vent 204, andother considerations; however the pressures in the gas storage tank 108can reach upwards of several hundred pounds per square inch and is apressure that is really only limited by the gas storage tank vessellimits and the capability to transfer the emitted gas 704 from lowpressure to storage tank higher pressure environments, by way of gastransfer system 136.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not a limitation, a beveragemaking cartridge 200 could contain several ounces of a solid gas, suchas frozen carbon dioxide (dry-ice), after sublimation a storage tankhaving received the emitted gas 704 could be pressurized with enough gasfor many liters of gas infused beverage product. An‘ounces-of-dry-ice-to-liters-of-beverage-product’ determination can varyon a number of factors including dissolver 104 technology andtechniques, properties of the beverage diluent liquid 702, efficiency ofsublimation and gas transfer and final beverage gas infused volumes ofgas preference, as well as other types and kinds of factors, as may bedesired and/or required in a particular embodiment.

A gas transfer system 128, which can comprise pumps, mixers, valves,and/or regulators, can control the supply of gas and pressure levelmaintained within the dissolver 104. To avoid over pressure conditions,within the gas storage tank 108, pumps, valves, mixers, and/orregulators 140 can be arranged to vent the gas in an over pressureconditions, thus holding the tank at a predetermined upper gas pressurelimit.

For disclosure purposes the shaded blocks in at least FIGS. 7-8 and15A-16 denote a changeable supply, ingredient, or functional device(such as filer 222). In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not alimitation, such a changeable supply can preferably be a beverage makingcartridge that can be interchanged to resupply the beverage makingmachine with solid gas sources, micro ingredients, filters, and/or othertypes and kinds of changeable supplies, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15B there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of thegas storage system 106A-D. In an exemplary embodiment, a gas storagesystem 106A can be a tank configuration and/or style. Such a tankconfiguration and/or style can be an openable tank, for receiving thesolid gas 202, and allowing the solid gas source 202 to sublimate,emitting a gas, which pressurize the gas within an internal tank 108portion. The gas storage system 106 tank configurations and/or stylescan then be used in beverage dispensing system 100, of the presentinvention, to be used to infuse the pressurized gas into beveragediluent to form gas infused beverages 118.

One such tank configuration can be separable tank halves, such asillustrated in gas storage system 106A. Another configuration can be ahinged tank halves, such as illustrated in gas storage system 106B. Yetanother configuration can be screwable threaded tank halves, such asillustrated in gas storage system 106C. Furthermore, a tankconfiguration can comprise a beverage making cartridge receptacle 110,for receiving a beverage making cartridge 210, such as illustrated ingas storage system 106D, or other similar type, kind or combination ofgas storage system 106A-D, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

In embodiments where the gas storage system comprises separable, hinged,or otherwise openable halves the solid gas source 202, in a beveragemaking cartridge 210 or otherwise, can be inserted into the gas storagesystem. The tank halves can then be interlocked together, sealing thesolid gas 202 inside in a manner that allows the sublimation of thesolid gas source 202 emitting a gas 704 to pressurize the gas tank 108portion of the gas storage system. In a similar manner, in theembodiments wherein a beverage making cartridge receptacle 110 providesaccess to an interconnect with a beverage making cartridge 210, whichcontains at least a solid gas source 202, the solid gas source can beallowed to sublimate, emitting a gas 704, which pressurizes the gas tank108 portion of the gas storage system 106D.

Referring to FIG. 16 there is illustrated one example of a gasgeneration and storage system 106 having multiple gas storage portions108A-C. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of a beverage makingcartridge 200 having at least one of a solid gas source or an aromaenhance solid gas source inside, as illustrated in at least FIGS. 1A-Band 3. The beverage making cartridge 200 can be inserted into orotherwise interlocked in place, within a beverage making cartridgereceptacle 110A-C. In this exemplary embodiment, a variety of differentkinds of gasses 704, if desired can be used in beverage making machine100. In this regard, different kinds of aroma enhanced gases can be usedto aroma enhance beverages. At least FIG. 3 illustrates these features.As example, such aroma vapor could be tea aroma when tea leaves, as aningredient, are brewed or coffee aroma when coffee, as an ingredient, isbrewed or fresh squeezed citrus aroma when being squeezed or citrus isprocessed to extract aroma or other types and kinds of aroma whenbrewing, fermenting, squeezing, or other preparation process is usedwith other ingredients. To prevent aroma carryover from gas to gas andbeverage to beverage, the different aroma enhanced gases must be keptseparate so that they don't mix.

FIG. 16 illustrates one example of how different aroma enhanced gassources, in beverage making cartridges 200A-C, can be inserted intodifferent beverage making cartridge gas source receptacles 110A-C andtransfer the different aroma enhanced gasses to a storage tank 108A-C,wherein 108A, 108B, and 108C are different sections within the gasstorage tank, sectioned off specifically for holding different aromaenhanced gases and preventing them from mixing.

A gas transfer system 138A-C can be arranged to receive the emitted gas704, from the interlocked beverage making cartridge 200A-C, by way ofthe beverage making cartridge receptacle 110A-C, and proceed to transferthe gases to separate storage tank portions 108A-C. In an exemplaryembodiment, the emitted gas 704 pressure, from the beverage makingcartridges 200A-C, from the solid gas sources, is typically not muchmore than standard atmospheric pressure and is somewhat regulated anddetermined by the selection of the venting parameters of the sterileone-way vent 204; however the pressures in the storage tank can reachupwards of several hundred pounds per square inch and is really onlylimited by the gas storage tank vessel limits and the capability of thegas transfer system 138A-C to transfer the emitted gas 704 from lowpressure to storage tank higher pressure environments.

In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not a limitation, a beveragemaking cartridge 200 could contain two to three ounces of a solid gas,such as frozen carbon dioxide (dry-ice), after sublimation a storagetank having received the emitted gas 704 could be pressurized withenough gas for many liters of gas infused beverage product. An‘ounces-of-dry-ice-to-liters-of-beverage-product’ determination can varyon a number of factors including dissolver 104 technology andtechniques, properties of the beverage diluent liquid 702, efficiency ofsublimation and gas transfer and final beverage gas infused volumes ofgas preference, as well as other types and kinds of factors, as may bedesired and/or required in a particular embodiment.

A pump, valve, mixer, and/or regulator 128A-C, also referred to as gastransfer system 128A-C, can control the supply of gas and pressure levelmaintained within the dissolver 104. To avoid over pressure conditions,within the gas storage tank sections 108A-C, pumps, valves, mixers,and/or regulators 140A-C can be arranged to vent the gas in overpressure conditions, thus holding the tank at a predetermined upper gaspressure limit.

The term “upper gas pressure limit”, in the present invention, isintended to mean the desired highest pressure level allowed in the gasstorage tank 108 also referred to as 108A-C in at least FIG. 16. This isthe maximum pounds per square inch (psi) or other convenient unit ofmeasure, at which all excess gas pressure will be vented out of the gasstorage tank to keep the gas storage tank safe and at no more than theupper gas pressure limit. The primary purpose for setting a maximumpressure is safety, but satisfactory system operation is also a factorto consider.

Referring to FIG. 17 there is illustrated one example of a refrigeratedappliance 402 having a beverage making machine 100 embedded. Theembedded beverage making machine 100 utilizes at least one of a beveragemaking cartridge 200 to make a beverage. In an exemplary embodiment, forexample and not a limitation, a beverage making cartridge 200 can beinserted into or otherwise interlocked in a beverage making dispense 100by way of beverage making cartridge receptacle 110/114. Forclarification, beverage making cartridge receptacle 110 is illustratedin at least FIG. 7 as a receptacle for receiving a solid gas sourcecartridge and beverage making cartridge receptacle 114 is shown as areceptacle for receiving micro ingredient. In the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 17 the beverage making cartridge receptacle 110/114can be a beverage making cartridge 200 gas cartridge or a beveragemaking cartridge 200 micro ingredient cartridge or a beverage makingcartridge 200 with both at least one of a solid gas and at least one ofa micro ingredient in the same beverage making cartridge 200. Once thebeverage making cartridge 200 has been installed, the system and methodsof the present invention can be used to make gas infused and non-gasinfused beverages, with and without aroma enhancement.

Referring to FIG. 18 there is illustrated one example of a method ofsupplying a beverage making machine 100 with beverage making cartridges200. In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage making machine 100 candata communicate by way of a computer control, such as computer control122 or other types and/or kinds of computer control across a globalnetwork 604 with data processing resources 606. Data processingresources 606 can be websites, online stores, and factory orderingsystems, servers, mobile devices, computer networks, and/or other typesand kinds of data processing resources, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment. Such data communications can includeordering supplies, such as supplies 504, checking inventory, transactingbusiness in an online account, data communicating market information,beverage data, inventory data, service needs, and other types and kindsof data communications, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment. Supplies 504 can include various types and kindsof beverage making cartridges 200. In an exemplary embodiment, forexample and not a limitation, the beverage making cartridges 200 caninclude micro ingredient 214, solid gas sources 202A, aroma enhancedsolid gas sources 202B, beverage diluent filters 222, cartridgeconfigurations and functional components, cartridge based beveragediluent liquid receptacles, and/or other types and kinds of supplies,functional technologies, and/or combinations thereof, as may be requiredand/or desired in a particular embodiment.

The computer control 122 can further comprise a computer readable medium172 which can be encoded with instructions to operate the beveragemaking machine 100, the methods of the present invention, controloperation of the beverage making machine 100, data communicate acrossthe global network 604, with data processing resources 606, withwireless device 602, and/or encoded with instructions for effectuatingother types and kinds of activities, as may be required and/or desiredin a particular embodiment.

The term “global network” or “global network 604”, in the presentinvention, is intended to mean the internet or other network whichfacilitates the ability to network and access the beverage makingmachine with remote computer systems, transact commerce, reordersupplies, check status of shipments, gain information about products,communicate with customers and consumers, and/or data communicateglobally between data processing resources such as servers, personalcomputers, mobile devices, and other digital devices, including thebeverage making machine 100 of the present invention.

Use of the term “no-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service”, in thepresent invention, is intended to mean a delivery service that restrictsor bans the shipment of high pressure gas. Many delivery servicesrestrict or ban such high pressure gas shipments due to safety concerns.In this regard, high pressure gas under certain circumstances, such asover pressure gas tank, excessive heating, gas tank structural defects,and other conditions can cause catastrophic gas tank failure, which canlead to very serious injury and damage. As such, many delivery servicesavoid shipping high pressure gas. An advantage, in the presentinvention, is that a solid gas source 202 under little to no pressureconditions can be shipped to the point of use. At the point of use, thesolid gas source is inserted into the beverage making machine 100 whereit sublimates to pressurize a gas storage tank 108. In this regard, thepresent invention overcomes the limitation of not being able to shiphigh pressure gas by shipping the gas in solid form at no or lowpressure and then generating the high pressure gas when inserted intothe beverage making machine 100. As such, the term“no-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service” is used, in the presentinvention's, to refer to the ability to overcome the limitation of notbeing able to ship high pressure gas by shipping a solid gas source 202,form which a high pressure gas can be generated therefrom at point ofuse.

Use of the term “wireless device” or “consumer's wireless device” or“wireless device 602”, in the present invention, is intended to mean awireless device such as a smart phone and other similar wireless phones,IPAD and other tablet computers, readers such as the AMAZON KINDLE andother similar readers, and/or other mobile portable wireless digitaldevices, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

In operation, with reference to FIGS. 28A-B, a consumer 302 can utilizewireless device 602 to interact with the beverage making machine 100, byway of computer control 122. Such interaction can be by way of WIFI,BLUETOOTH, a 3G or 4G mobile networks, emails, text messages, and/orother types an kinds of interaction and data communication technologiesboth wired and wireless, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment. The consumer's wireless device 602 can also datacommunicate across a global network 604 with data processing resources606. Such data communications with data processing resources 606 caninclude ordering supplies, such as supplies 504. Supplies 504 caninclude various types and kinds of beverage making cartridges 200. In anexemplary embodiment, for example and not a limitation, the beveragemaking cartridges 200 can include micro ingredient 214, solid gassources 202A, aroma enhanced solid gas sources 202B, beverage diluentfilters 222, and/or other types and kinds of supplies and combinationsthereof, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

The orders can be processed and supplies 504 shipped, by way of adelivery service 502, to the point of use. The delivery service 502 caninclude postal service, cargo service, air transport service, overnightservice, courier service, no-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service,and other types and kinds of deliver service, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment. In addition, delivery service 502can also include places where supplies 504 can be picked up by aconsumer such as in a store and/or include other places that areconvenient and/or preferred by the consumer, and as may be requiredand/or desired in a particular embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage machine 100 can be configuredto monitor beverage making cartridge supply levels and eitherautomatically reorder supplies across the global network 604 with dataprocessing resources 606 and have the supplies 504 delivered by deliveryservice 502 without consumer 302 intervention or consumer 302 caninitiate, confirm, or authorize any steps in the process, as may berequired and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

In another exemplary embodiment, a consumer 302 can use wireless device602 to check the inventory level status of the beverage makingcartridges and/or supply of gas by wired or wireless data communicationwith the computer control 122 or the beverage making machine 100. Basedon the determination and results returned to the consumer 302, theconsumer can decide and initiate a supply reorder across the globalnetwork 604 with data processing resources 606 and have the supplies 504delivered by delivery service 502.

In another exemplary embodiment, a consumer 302 can access dataprocessing resources 606, by way of a global network 604, to makediscovery of available supplies 504 for the beverage making machine 100.Such discovery can be, for example and not a limitation, available ornew beverage flavors, solid gas sources, aroma enhanced solid gassources, diluent filters, and/or make other types and kinds ofdiscovery. The consumer can then order the desired supplies across theglobal network 604 with data processing resources 606 and have thesupplies 504 delivered by delivery service 502, as may be requiredand/or desired in a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 19 there is illustrated one example of a system blockdiagram of a beverage making cartridge 200 arranged to be a factory in acartridge. In an exemplary embodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200can comprise a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210, a solid gassource 202, at least one of a micro ingredient 214, a dissolver 104, adispenser 120, and a series of optional fluid handling components144A-D. In this regard, the beverage making cartridge 200 can compriseconsumables such as a solid gas source, at least one micro ingredient,and the necessary functional components to effectuate forming abeverage.

Use of the term “fluid handling components” or “fluid handlingcomponents 144”, in the present invention, is intended to mean pumps,mixers, valves, regulators, and/or other gas or liquid handling and/orrouting, regulating, or control types and kinds of devices. In general,fluid handling components can be standard size or miniature size when itis needed to incorporated such components into a beverage makingmachine. The fluid handling components can be micro scale when needed tofit into a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210. Additionally, thefluid handling components can be embodied as microelectromechanicalsystem (MEMS) components and/or other micro scale technologies whenneeded.

Use of the term “beverage making cartridge factory” or “factory in acartridge”, in the present invention, is intended to mean, a beveragemaking cartridge 200 comprising the necessary solid gas source 202and/or at least one micro ingredient 214 with the necessary functionalcomponents to form a beverage in vessel 118. In general, the functionalcomponents can include, for example and not a limitation, dissolver 104,beverage diluent filter 222, dispenser 120, beverage diluent cooler 148,fluid handling components 144, and/or other functional components, asmay be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, with arrows indicating fluid flow and dashedarrows indicating optional or alternative fluid flows, a beveragediluent liquid 702 can be placed into a beverage diluent receptacle 102.A beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 can comprise a solid gassource 202, a dissolver 104, at least one of a micro ingredient 214, anda dispenser 120 can be arranged to transfer fluids from outside thebeverage making cartridge enclosure 210 to the inside where a beveragecan be formed or otherwise dispensed. A series of optional fluidhandling components 144A-D, micro-scale in nature, can selectively beutilized to control the flow of fluids, ingredients, and gases throughthe beverage making cartridge 200, as may be required and/or desired ina particular embodiment.

The dissolver 104 can be arranged to receive emitted gas 704 from thesolid gas sources 202, at least a portion of the beverage diluent liquid702 from the beverage receptacle 102, and selectively at least one of amicro ingredient 214. The dissolver 104 dissolves the emitted gas 704into the beverage diluent liquid 702 and can optionally mix the beveragediluent liquid with the micro ingredient 214 to form the beverage invessel 118. Alternatively, the micro ingredient 214 can be routed to anddispensed from the dispenser 120. A dispenser 120 can comprise abistable lever actuated valve 146, by which the dispenser 120 can beoperated to dispense at least the beverage diluent liquid 702 and themicro ingredient 214 to form a beverage in vessel 118. A series of fluidhandling components 144A-D can be selectively utilized, as needed, tocontrol the fluid flow, through the beverage making cartridge enclosure210, as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

The beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 is preferably configured tobe inserted into a bulk water type beverage making machine 100, such asillustrated in at least FIGS. 4A-B and 24-25. In an exemplaryembodiment, in operation, the beverage making cartridge 200 comes inmany flavors, types, kinds, and/or brands and can easily be insertedinto a beverage making machine 100, and be utilized by consumers to makea plurality of beverages from a single beverage making cartridge 200.When the consumables are used up, the beverage making cartridge 200 canbe removed, discarded, and/or recycled, being replaced with a newbeverage making cartridge 200.

Referring to FIG. 20 there is illustrated one example of a system blockdiagram of a beverage making cartridge 200 arranged to be a factory in acartridge. In an exemplary embodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200can comprise a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210, at least one ofa micro ingredient 214, a diluent filter 222, a dispenser 120, and aseries of optional fluid handling components 144A-C. In this regard, thebeverage making cartridge 200 can comprise consumables such as, at leastone micro ingredient, a beverage diluent filter 222, and the necessaryfunctional components to effectuate forming a beverage.

In an exemplary embodiment, with arrows indicating fluid flow, abeverage diluent liquid 702 can be placed into a beverage diluentreceptacle 102. A beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 can comprise abeverage diluent filter 222 to filter the incoming beverage diluentliquid, at least one of a micro ingredient 214, and a dispenser 120 canbe arranged to transfer fluids from inside the beverage making cartridgeenclosure 210 to the outside where a beverage can be formed anddispensed. A series of optional fluid handling components 144A-C,micro-scale in nature, can selectively be utilized to control the flowof fluids and ingredients through the beverage making cartridge 200, asmay be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

The dispenser 120 can be arranged to receive at least a portion of thebeverage diluent liquid 702 from the beverage receptacle 102 by way ofthe beverage diluent filter 222, and selectively at least one of a microingredient 214. A dispenser 120 can comprise a bistable lever actuatedvalve 146, by which the dispenser 120 can be operated to dispense atleast the beverage diluent liquid 702 and the micro ingredient 214, toform a beverage in vessel 118. A series of fluid handling components144A-C can be selectively utilized, as needed, to control the fluidflow, through the beverage making cartridge enclosure 210, as may berequired and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

The beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 is preferably configured tobe inserted into a bulk water type beverage making machine 100, such asillustrated in at least FIGS. 4A-B and 24-25. In an exemplaryembodiment, in operation, the beverage making cartridge 200 comes inmany flavors, types, kinds, and/or brands and can easily be insertedinto a beverage making machine 100, utilized by consumers to make aplurality of beverages from a single beverage making cartridge 200, andthen when the consumables are used up, the beverage making cartridge 200can be removed and discarded, being replaced with a new beverage makingcartridge 200.

Referring to FIG. 21 there is illustrated one example of a system blockdiagram of a beverage making cartridge 200 arranged to be a factory in acartridge. In an exemplary embodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200can be arranged to chill the beverage diluent liquid 702. In thisregard, a beverage making cartridge 200 can comprise a solid gas source202, and optionally at least one of a micro ingredient 214. A beveragemaking machine 100 can comprise a beverage diluent receptacle 102 andoptionally a gas storage tank 108. Alternatively, if gas isn't neededfor infusion into the beverage diluent liquid 702 then the gas 704 canbe vented to the atmosphere and the gas storage tank 108 can beeliminated. As another alternative, if it is desired that the beveragediluent liquid 702 be infused with gas but a separate gas storage tank108 is not desired then the gas 704 can be vented into the beveragediluent receptacle which is holding the beverage diluent liquid 702where the gas can be dissolved into the beverage diluent liquid.

To chill the beverage diluent liquid, which is in the beverage diluentreceptacle 102 the beverage making cartridge 200 can be inserted intothe beverage making machine 100 and can be thermally coupled, by way ofa beverage diluent cooler 148, to the beverage diluent receptacle 102.In this regard, the surface temperature of the solid gas source can beextremely cold. For example and not a limitation, frozen carbon dioxide(dry-ice) can have a surface temperature of −109 F. As such, couplingthe cold surface temperature of the solid gas source, by way of abeverage diluent cooler 148, to the beverage diluent receptacle 102,which has in it the beverage diluent liquid 702, causes the beveragediluent liquid 702 to cool. A beverage diluent cooler 148 can comprise ametal or other thermally conducting materials designed to transfer thecold surface temperature of the solid gas source to the beverage diluentreceptacle 102, which can also be fabricated from metal or otherthermally conducting material, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

As illustrated in at least FIG. 21, a beverage making cartridge 200 canbe configured to chill the beverage diluent liquid 702, which is insidethe beverage diluent receptacle 102, by way of thermally coupling thebeverage diluent cooler 148 between at least the solid gas source 202and the beverage diluent receptacle 102. A dispenser 120 can comprise abistable lever actuated valve 146, by which the dispenser 120 can beoperated to dispense at least the chilled beverage diluent liquid 702and the micro ingredient 214, to form a beverage in vessel 118.

Referring to FIG. 22 there is illustrated one example of a system blockdiagram of a beverage making cartridge 200 arranged to be a factory in acartridge. In an exemplary embodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200can comprise a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210, at least one ofa micro ingredient 214, a dissolver 104, a solid gas source 202, adispenser 120, and a series of optional fluid handling components144A-D. In this regard, the beverage making cartridge 200 can compriseconsumables such as at least one micro ingredient, a solid gas source202, and the necessary functional components to effectuate forming abeverage. A beverage diluent cooler 148 thermally is arranged andcouples the solid gas source 202 with a beverage diluent receptacle 102,which contains a beverage diluent liquid 702, such that the cold surfacetemperature of the solid gas source 202 chills the beverage diluentliquid 702.

In an exemplary embodiment, with arrows indicating fluid flow and dashedarrows indicating optional or alternative fluid flows, a beveragediluent liquid 702 can be placed into a beverage diluent receptacle 102.A beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 can comprise a solid gassource 202, a dissolver 104, at least one of a micro ingredient 214, atleast a portion of a beverage diluent cooler 148, and a dispenser 120.The beverage making cartridge 200 can be arranged to transfer fluidsfrom outside the beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 to the insidewhere a beverage can be formed and dispensed. A series of optional fluidhandling components 144A-E, micro-scale in nature, can selectively beutilized to control the flow of fluids, ingredients, and gases throughthe beverage making cartridge 200, as may be required and/or desired ina particular embodiment.

The dissolver 104 can be arranged to receive emitted gas 704 from thesolid gas sources 202, at least a portion of the beverage diluent liquid702 from the beverage receptacle 102, and selectively at least one of amicro ingredient 214. The dissolver 104 dissolves the emitted gas 704into the beverage diluent liquid 702 and can optionally mix the beveragediluent liquid with the micro ingredient 214, to form and dispense thebeverage into vessel 118. Alternatively, the micro ingredient 214 can berouted to and dispensed from the dispenser 120. A dispenser 120 cancomprise a bistable lever actuated valve 146, by which the dispenser 120can be operated to dispense at least the beverage diluent liquid 702 andthe micro ingredient 214 to form and dispense a beverage into vessel118. A series of fluid handling components 144A-E can be selectivelyutilized, as needed, to control the fluid flow, through the beveragemaking cartridge enclosure 210, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

The beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 is preferably configured tobe inserted into a bulk water type beverage making machine 100, such asillustrated in at least FIGS. 4A-B and 24-25. In an exemplaryembodiment, in operation, the beverage making cartridge 200 comes inmany flavors, types, kinds, and/or brands and can easily be insertedinto a beverage making machine 100, utilized by consumers to make aplurality of beverages from a single beverage making cartridge 200, andthen when the consumables are used up, the beverage making cartridge canbe removed, discarded, and/or recycled, being replaced with a newbeverage making cartridge 200.

Referring to FIG. 23 there is illustrated one example of a system blockdiagram of a beverage making cartridge 200 arranged to be a factory in acartridge. In an exemplary embodiment, a beverage making cartridge 200can comprise a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210, more than one ofa micro ingredient 214A-B, a diluent filter 222, a dispenser 120,wherein the dispenser 120 further comprising a micro ingredient selector150, and a series of optional fluid handling components 144A-D. In thisregard, the beverage making cartridge 200 can comprise consumables suchas, more than one micro ingredient, a beverage diluent filter 222, andthe necessary functional components, as required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment, to effectuate forming a beverage.

In an exemplary embodiment, with arrows indicating fluid flow and dashedarrows indicating optional or alternative fluid flows, a beveragediluent liquid 702 can be placed into a beverage diluent receptacle 102.A beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 can comprise a beveragediluent filter 222 to filter the incoming beverage diluent liquid 702,at least one of a micro ingredient 214, and a dispenser 120 can bearranged to transfer fluids from outside the beverage making cartridgeenclosure 210 to the inside where a beverage can be formed anddispensed. A series of optional fluid handling components 144A-D,micro-scale or MEMS scale in nature, can selectively be utilized tocontrol the flow of fluids and micro ingredients through the beveragemaking cartridge 200, as may be required and/or desired in a particularembodiment.

The dispenser 120 can be arranged to receive at least a portion of thebeverage diluent liquid 702 from the beverage receptacle 102, by way ofthe beverage diluent filter 222, and by way of micro ingredient selector150, select at least one of a micro ingredient 214 for use in formingthe beverage. A dispenser 120 can comprise a bistable lever actuatedvalve 146A-C and the micro ingredient selector 150, by which thedispenser 120 can be operated to dispense at least the beverage diluentliquid 702 and selectively none or at least one of the micro ingredient214, to form a beverage in vessel 118. In this regard, the bistablelever actuated valve 146A-C can be movable and positional in more thanone position. FIG. 23 illustrates, as example and not a limitation,three positions 146A, 146B, and 146C, though more or less positions canbe included. Such movement and positioning 146A, 146B, and 146C can inturn configure the micro ingredient selector 150 to select or otherwisecomplete pathways, wherein selectively the beverage diluent liquid onlyor at least one of the micro ingredients can be chosen by the consumerand used to form the beverage, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

In operation, a consumer can move and/or position the bistable leveractuated valve in positions 146A, 146B, or 146C. Correspondingly,positioning the bistable lever actuated valve in positions 146A, 146B,or 146C configures the micro ingredient selector 150. Depending on theposition of the ingredient selector 150 a selection of which of themicro ingredients 214A-B or none of the micro ingredients to mix withthe beverage diluent liquid can be effectuated. As example, in position146A perhaps no micro ingredient is mixed resulting in only beveragediluent liquid being dispensed to form the beverage in vessel 118, flowpathway reference label ‘A’. In a second example, in position 146Bperhaps micro ingredient 214A is dispensed with the beverage diluentliquid to form the beverage in vessel 118, flow pathway reference label‘B’. In another example, in position 146C perhaps micro ingredient 214Bis dispensed with the beverage diluent liquid to form the beverage invessel 118, flow pathway reference label ‘C’.

A series of fluid handling components 144A-D can be selectivelyutilized, as needed, to control the fluid flow, through the beveragemaking cartridge enclosure 210, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

For disclosure purposes, as example and not a limitation, two microingredients 214A-B and a three position dispenser 120 positions 146A-Care illustrated in FIG. 23; however any number of micro ingredients andpositions on dispenser 120 can be implemented, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

The beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 is preferably configured tobe inserted into a bulk water type beverage making machine 100, such asillustrated in at least FIGS. 4A-B and 24-25. In an exemplaryembodiment, in operation, the beverage making cartridge 200 comes inmany flavors, types, kinds, and/or brands and can easily be insertedinto a beverage making machine 100, utilized by consumers to make aplurality of beverages from a single beverage making cartridge 200, andthen when the consumables are used up, the beverage making cartridge 200can be removed, discarded, and/or recycled, being replaced with a newbeverage making cartridge 200.

Referring to FIG. 24 there are illustrated examples of a beverage makingmachine 100, which utilizes at least one of a beverage making cartridge200. In an exemplary embodiment, beverage making cartridge 200 can beinserted into a beverage making machine 100. The beverage making machine100 illustrated in the Figure can also be referred to as a bulk beveragediluent liquid type dispenser. In this regard, a large quantity ofbeverage diluent liquid, such as water, milk, or other liquid can bebulk loaded into the thermos or container like beverage diluentreceptacle 102. These bulk beverage diluent liquid holding versions ofthe beverage making machine 100 are typically characterized by having alarge beverage diluent receptacle 102. Such bulk type dispensers aretypically portable and often found at sporting events, picnics, churchand social functions, and/or at other types and kinds of events andlocations. Furthermore, these bulk type dispensers can use hot or coldbeverage diluent liquids and serve a limitless range of beverage typesincluding sports drinks, carbonated drinks, non-carbonated drinks, hotor cold tea based drinks, hot or cold coffee based drinks, dairy drinks,and/or other types and kinds of beverage types, as may be requiredand/or desired in a particular embodiment.

Such bulk type beverage making machines 100 also have applicability inthe developing world where access to clean water is a challenge. Thesebulk water beverage making machine 100 tank type facilities or stationscan have a big impact on the communities and consumers who don't havethe opportunity to experience safe clean high quality flavored beveragesvery often. As such, water treatment techniques combined with beveragemaking technology, in simple easy to use forms, is in demand and verymuch needed around the world.

In operation, the beverage making cartridge 200 comes in many flavors,types, kinds, and/or brands and can easily be inserted into a beveragemaking machine 100, utilized by consumers to make a plurality ofbeverages from a single beverage making cartridge 200, and then when theconsumables are used up, the beverage making cartridge 200 can beremoved, discarded, and/or recycled, being replaced with a new beveragemaking cartridge 200.

Referring to FIG. 25 there is illustrated a beverage making machine 100,which utilizes at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200A-C. In anexemplary embodiment, similar in function as the bulk dispensers of FIG.24, this bulk type dispenser 100, often referred to as a water coolerstyle dispenser, is capable of having more than one beverage makingcartridge 200 inserted into the bulk type dispenser 100, in this examplelabeled 200B and 200C.

In operation, this can allow hot and cold beverages, along with a widevariety of beverages to be dispensed from bulk dispenser type beveragemaking machines 100. The beverage making cartridge 200 can come in manyflavors, types, kinds, and/or brands and more than one can typically beinserted into this type of bulk dispenser beverage making machine 100.The beverage making machine can be utilized by consumers to make aplurality of hot and cold beverages from the installed beverage makingcartridges 200B-C, and then when the consumables are used up in one ofthe cartridges, the beverage making cartridge 200B or 200C can beremoved, discarded, and/or recycled, replaced with a new beverage makingcartridge 200, as needed.

Referring to FIGS. 26A-B there are illustrated examples of methods ofproducing aroma enhanced solid gas 202 for use in a beverage makingmachine 100 to make a beverage. Illustrated in FIG. 26A, with referencealso to at least FIG. 3, is an exemplary embodiment of a preparationprocess such as brewing, fermentation, or other preparation process, asmay be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment, which can beused to cause aroma vapor to be produced or otherwise released from aningredient. Such aroma vapor, for example and not a limitation, could betea aroma when tea leaves, as an ingredient, are brewed or coffee aromawhen coffee, as an ingredient, is brewed, fresh squeezed citrus aromawhen being squeezed or citrus is processed to extract aroma, or otheraromas when brewing, fermenting, squeezing, or other preparation processis used with other ingredients.

Prior to the present invention it has been difficult to capture,collect, or otherwise package this aroma vapor and later use to aromaenhance a beverage. With reference to FIG. 3, one advantage of thepresent invention is to be able to capture and condense aroma vapor 216from ingredients 214A and brewed ingredients 220 into an aromaprecipitate 218. Such an aroma precipitate 218 can be in frozen ice formor other form and can be aroma captured from brewing, fermenting,squeezing, or other preparation process of tea, coffee, citrus,sweetness enhancers, flavors, and/or other ingredients, precipitatestates, or preparation processes, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

Another advantage, in the present invention, is that aroma liquid orvapor added to micro ingredient degrades over time, such that thebenefit of the aroma at the time of use may be negated or significantlyimpaired simply due to the natural degradation of the aroma when mixedwith the ingredient. This has for a long time prevented delivering tothe consumer real authentic tasting tea, or fresh brewed coffee smell,or freshly squeezed citrus aroma simply because aroma mixed withingredients degrades. The present invention overcomes this limitation bycreating a frozen precipitate 218 and mixing with the frozen solid gassource. In this regard, the aroma is preserved in frozen form andreturned to gas vapor form, stored in a gas storage tank where the aromadoes not degrade. As such, the true quality of the aroma can bedelivered by infusion into the beverage, at the time the beverage ismade, making delivering to the consumer in concentrated or syrup form,with aroma enhance gas, a true authentic tea experience, a real freshbrewed coffee experience, a fresh squeezed citrus experience, and/ordelivering to the consumer other superior beverage making and enjoyingexperiences.

In this regard, in an exemplary embodiment, for example and not alimitation, the aroma vapor 216 can be from a brewed ingredient 220 likecoffee or tea, or an ingredient 214A, or other aroma source. The aromacan be condensed into a precipitate 218. Preferably, the form of thearoma precipitate 218 is frozen ice so that it can be mixed in apredefined ratio with a solid gas source 202A, such as frozen CO2(dry-ice) or other frozen gas. The ratio-mix combination now forms anaroma enhanced solid gas source 202B, which can be packaged in a solidgas source package 206 as illustrated in at least FIG. 1A or directlyinto a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210, as illustrated in atleast FIG. 1B. FIG. 3 further illustrates, for example and not alimitation, how the solid gas source 202A or the aroma enhanced solidgas source 202B can be packaged in a beverage making cartridge enclosure210A-B individually as solid gas source 202C, as option ‘A’ or as solidgas source 202D collocated with at least one of a micro ingredient 214Bin a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210C-D, as option ‘B’. OtherFigures, such as at least FIGS. 5 and 14 illustrate how the solid gassource can be collocated with other functional elements, such asdissolver 104 or in at least FIGS. 19-23 with dispenser 120.

Turning now to FIG. 26A, there is illustrated one example of a method ofproducing aroma enhanced solid gas 202 for use in a beverage makingmachine 100 to make a beverage. The method begins in block 1002.

In block 1002 an aroma vapor 216 is captured during a preparationprocess of an ingredient. Such preparation process typically occurs at aprocessing plant and can include brewing, fermentation, or otherpreparation process, as may be required and/or desired in a particularembodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, an ingredient could include,without limitation, tea leaves, coffee, sweetness enhance aromaproducing ingredients, or other ingredients, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment. The method moves to block 1004.

In block 1004 the aroma vapor 216 is condensed into an aromaprecipitate. In an exemplary embodiment, the aroma precipitate 218 isfrozen and/or otherwise mixable with a solid gas source 202. The methodmoves to block 1006.

In block 1006 the aroma precipitate is mixed with the solid gas sourcein a predefined ratio forming an enhanced solid gas source 202. In anexemplary embodiment, the aroma precipitate 218 and the solid gas source202 are preferably both in a frozen ice state. The method is thenexited.

In another exemplary embodiment, there is illustrated one example of amethod of producing aroma enhanced solid gas 202 for use in a beveragemaking machine 100 to make a beverage. The method begins in block 1008.

In block 1008 an enhanced aroma solid gas source 202 is produced usingat least an enhancing compound as part of an ingredient. For example andnot a limitation, the enhancing aroma could be tea and the enhancingcompound could be tea leaves. In another example, the enhancing aromacould be coffee and the enhancing compound could be derived from coffeebeans. In another example, the enhancing aroma could be fresh squeezedcitrus and the enhancing compound could be derived from citrus. One moreexample, the enhancing aroma and the enhancing compound could beselected with the purpose of producing a beverage having an aroma thatis perceived olfactory, by a consumer, as sweetness enhancing. Themethod moves to block 1010.

In block 1010 an aroma precipitate is formed, through the conversion ofan aroma vapor 216, released during a preparation process, whichutilizes the ingredient. In an exemplary embodiment, a preparationprocess such as brewing, fermentation, or other preparation process, asmay be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment, can be usedto cause aroma vapor 216 to be produced or otherwise released from aningredient. Such aroma vapor 216, for example and not a limitation,could be tea aroma when tea leaves, as an ingredient, are brewed orcoffee aroma when coffee, as an ingredient, is brewed, fresh squeezedcitrus aroma when citrus is being squeezed or citrus is processed toextract aroma, or other aroma when brewing, fermenting, squeezing, orother preparation process is used with other ingredients. The methodmoves to block 1012.

In block 1012 the aroma precipitate 218 and the solid gas source 202A,illustrated in at least FIG. 3, are mixed in a predefined ratio to formthe aroma enhanced solid gas source 202B.

With reference to FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, for example andnot a limitation, the aroma vapor 216 can be from brewed ingredients 220like tea or coffee or an ingredient 214A, or other aroma sources. Thearoma can be condensed into a precipitate 218. Preferably, the form ofthe aroma precipitate 218 is frozen ice so that it can be mixed in apredefined ratio with a solid gas source 202A, such as frozen CO2(dry-ice) or other frozen gas. The ratio-mixed combination now forms anaroma enhanced solid gas source 202B. The method is then exited.

Referring to FIG. 26A there are also illustrated exemplary embodimentsof methods of producing aroma enhanced solid gas 202 for use in abeverage making machine 100 to make a beverage. Such exemplaryembodiments illustrated below can be selectively utilized with themethods of the present invention.

In block 1014 the ingredient, as part of the preparation process, can bebrewed. As example, tea aroma can be generated when tea leaves, as aningredient, are brewed or coffee aroma can be generated when coffee, asan ingredient, is brewed.

In block 1016 the ingredient, as part of the preparation process, can befermented. As example, wine-grape aroma can be generated when wine isfermenting, and a beer aroma can be generated when beer is fermenting.

In block 1018 a tea based aroma enhanced solid gas source is produced.

In block 1020 a coffee based enhanced solid gas source is produced.

In block 1022 a fresh squeezed citrus based enhanced solid gas source isproduced.

In block 1024 the aroma enhanced solid gas source is packaged in abeverage making cartridge enclosure 210. With reference to at least FIG.1A, the solid gas source can be placed into a solid gas package 206 andthen packaged into a beverage making cartridge enclosure 210, or asillustrated in at least FIG. 1B the solid gas source can be packageddirectly into the beverage making cartridge, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment. In at least FIG. 3 there isillustrated, for example and not a limitation, how the solid gas source202A or the aroma enhanced solid gas source 202B can be packaged in abeverage making cartridge enclosure 210A-B individually as solid gassource 202C, as option ‘A’ or as solid gas source 202D collocated withat least one of a micro ingredient 214B in a beverage making cartridgeenclosure 210C-D, as option ‘B’. Other Figures, such as at least FIGS. 5and 14 illustrate how the solid gas source can be collocated with otherfunctional elements, such as dissolver 104 or in at least FIGS. 19-23with dispenser 120.

Referring to FIG. 26B there is illustrated one example of a method ofproducing aroma enhanced solid gas 202, for use in a beverage makingmachine 100, to make a beverage. In an exemplary embodiment, an enhancedaroma can be produced using an enhancing compound as part of aningredient, an aroma precipitate can be formed through conversion of anaroma vapor released during the preparation process which utilizes theingredient, a predefined ratio of aroma precipitate can be mixed withthe solid gas source to form an aroma enhanced solid gas source, theenhanced solid gas source can be packaged into a beverage makingcartridge and the cartridge inserted into a beverage making machine, thearoma enhanced solid gas source can be allowed to sublimate emitting anaroma enhanced gas which can be captured and stored in a gas storagetank, a portion of the aroma enhanced gas can be dissolved into thebeverage diluent liquid, and the beverage diluent liquid can be mixedwith a predefined ratio of at least one micro ingredient to form abeverage. The method begins in block 1026.

In block 1026 an enhanced aroma can be produced using at least anenhancing compound, as part of an ingredient. For example and not alimitation, the enhancing aroma could be tea and the enhancing compoundcould be tea leaves. In another example, the enhancing aroma could becoffee and the enhancing compound could be derived from coffee beans. Inanother example, the enhancing aroma could be fresh squeezed citrus andthe enhancing compound could be derived from citrus. One more example,the enhancing aroma and the enhancing compound could be selected withthe purpose of producing a beverage having an aroma that is perceivedolfactory, by a consumer, as sweetness enhancing. The method moves toblock 1028.

In block 1028 an aroma precipitate is formed, through the conversion ofan aroma vapor 216, released during a preparation process, whichutilizes the ingredient. In an exemplary embodiment, a preparationprocess such as brewing, fermentation, or other preparation process, asmay be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment, can be usedto cause aroma vapor 216 to be produced or otherwise released from aningredient. Such aroma vapor 216, for example and not a limitation,could be tea aroma when tea leaves, as an ingredient, are brewed orcoffee aroma when coffee, as an ingredient, is brewed, or fresh squeezedcitrus aroma when citrus is being squeezed or citrus is processed toextract aroma, or other aroma when brewing, fermenting, squeezing, orother preparation process is used with other ingredients. The methodmoves to block 1030.

In block 1030 the aroma precipitate 218 and the solid gas source 202A,in at least FIG. 3, are packaged or otherwise mixed and/or combined, ina beverage making cartridge, in a predefined ratio to form the aromaenhanced solid gas source 202B. The method moves to block 1032.

In block 1032 a portion of the aroma enhanced gas is dissolved into thebeverage diluent liquid. This causes the beverage diluent liquid tobecome gas infused with the combination gas and aroma molecules. Themethod moves to block 1034.

In block 1034 the gas infused beverage diluent liquid is mixed with atleast one of a micro ingredient to form a beverage. As the consumerdrinks the beverage the gas infused beverage diluent liquid emits gasand aroma, as the gas diffuses from the beverage diluent liquid. In thisregard, the aroma can provide a pleasurable beverage for the consumer asthe aroma molecules interact with the consumer's olfactory senses. Themethod is then exited.

Referring to FIG. 26B there are also illustrated exemplary embodimentsof methods of producing aroma enhanced solid gas 202 for use in abeverage making machine 100 to make a beverage. Such exemplaryembodiments illustrated below can be selectively utilized with themethods of the present invention.

In block 1036 at least tea leaves can be used as an enhancing compound.

In block 1038 at least coffee can be used as an enhancing compound.

In block 1040 at least citrus can be used as an enhancing compound.

In block 1042 the beverage making cartridge enclosure 210 including thesolid gas source 202A, as illustrated in at least FIG. 3 or the aromaenhanced solid gas source 202B can be inserted into a beverage makingmachine 100.

In block 1044 the aroma enhanced solid gas source can be allowed tosublimate emitting an aroma enhanced gas. The emitted gas can becaptured and stored in a gas storage tank 108 for use in gas infusedbeverage making.

In block 1046 the enhancing aroma and enhancing compound is selectedwith the purpose of producing a beverage having an aroma that isperceived olfactory, by a consumer, as sweetness enhancing.

In block 1048 the aroma enhanced gas emitted from the aroma enhancedsolid gas source is stored in a gas storage tank 108, for use in atleast preparing gas infused beverages.

In block 1050 a portion of the aroma enhanced gas is dissolved into thebeverage diluent liquid. The amount of gas dissolved can bepredetermined and can be measured in a ratio of volumes of gas to onevolume of beverage diluent liquid. Dissolved volumes of gas into thebeverage diluent liquid in the storage tank can typically range from oneto nine volumes, as it is relatively easy to pressurize the dissolver104 tank (in as least FIG. 13) or hollow tubes (in at least FIG. 12)with the stored gas and force higher volumes of gas into the beveragediluent liquid. Finished beverage, that is the beverage dispensed into aconsumer's vessel 118, at typically normal atmospheric pressures andtemperatures often see a finished gas infused beverage of two to fourvolumes of gas.

In block 1052 the beverage diluent liquid is mixed in a predefined ratiowith at least one micro ingredient to form a beverage.

In block 1054 between up to nine volumes of the aroma enhanced gas isdissolved into the beverage diluent liquid. The amount of gas dissolvedcan be predetermined and can be measured in a ratio of volumes of gas toone volume of beverage diluent liquid.

In block 1056 both the aroma precipitate and the solid gas source can befrozen prior to mixing both to form the enhanced gas source, asillustrated in at least FIG. 3.

In block 1058 a predetermined amount of volumes of aroma enhanced gascan be dissolved into the beverage diluent liquid.

Referring to FIGS. 27A-B there is illustrated examples of a method ofmaking a beverage. Illustrated in FIG. 27A, is an exemplary embodiment,for example and not a limitation, and with reference to at least FIGS. 7and 8, supply cartridges 504, illustrated in at least FIG. 18 can besupplied to operate a system 100. In this regard, the supply cartridges504 can include beverage making cartridges 200 which comprises microingredients 214, solid gas source 202A or aroma enhanced solid gassource 202B (in at least FIG. 3), beverage diluent filter 222, and/orother types and kinds of beverage making cartridges 200, which comprisesother types and kinds of supplies, as may be required and/or desired ina particular embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, beverage making cartridge 200 can includesupplies which can be in inserted into the beverage making machine 100.As example, a beverage making cartridge 200 comprising a solid gassource 202 or an aroma enhanced solid gas source 202 can be insertedinto a solid gas source receptacle 110 and allowed to sublimate,emitting a gas 704 which can be captured, stored and utilized topressurize a gas storage tank 108 and subsequently be dissolved by adissolver 104 into a beverage diluent liquid 702. The beverage diluentliquid can then be optionally mixed with other micro ingredients 214 anddispensed through a dispenser 120, to form a beverage in vessel 118.With reference to at least FIGS. 27A and 7-8, the method begins in block2002.

In block 2002 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 comprisinga solid gas source 202 or an aroma enhanced solid gas source 202 can beinserted into a gas source receptacle 110. The method moves to block2004.

In block 2004 the solid gas source 202 or the aroma enhanced solid gassource 202 is allowed to sublimate emitting gas 704, which can becaptured, stored and utilized to pressurize a gas storage tank 108. Themethod moves to block 2006.

In block 2006 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 comprisingat least one of a micro ingredient 214 can be inserted into a beveragemaking cartridge receptacle 114, illustrated in FIG. 7 as 114A-C and inFIG. 8 as 114 A-B. In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not alimitation, a micro ingredient 214 can be a concentrated syrup, powder,flavoring, coloring, preservative, concentrate mixture, non-caloricsweetener also referred to as a non-nutritive sweetener, caloricsweetener also referred to as a sweetener, nutraceuticals, sweetenerenhancers, tea leaves, coffee, a combination thereof, or other types andkinds of substances that can be mixed with a beverage diluent liquid 702to form a beverage. The method moves to block 2008.

In block 2008 a beverage diluent liquid 702 can be supplied to abeverage diluent receptacle 102. In an exemplary embodiment, for exampleand not a limitation, a beverage diluent liquid 702 can be a liquid suchas water or other liquid that can be mixed with other ingredients toform a beverage. Optionally, the liquid can have gas dissolved into theliquid to form a gas infused beverage. The method moves to block 2010.

In block 2010 the pressurized gas from the gas storage tank can bedissolved, by dissolver 104, into the beverage diluent liquid 702 toform a gas infused beverage diluent liquid. In an exemplary embodiment,for example and not a limitation, the gas can be carbon dioxide (CO2)carbonating the beverage diluent liquid. A target carbonation level inthe range of up to nine volumes, while the beverage diluent liquid 702is stored in the dissolver 104, is preferred, but can vary, as may berequired and/or desired in a particular embodiment. The method moves toblock 2012.

In block 2012 selectively a predefined ratio of at least one of themicro ingredient 214 and the beverage diluent liquid can be dispensed toform a beverage in vessel 118. The beverage diluent liquid can beinfused with gas or not, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment. In this regard, at least FIGS. 7-8 illustratedifferent examples of the beverage diluent liquid fluid flow pathways.The method is then exited.

Referring to FIG. 27A there are also illustrated exemplary embodimentsof methods of making a beverage. Such exemplary embodiments illustratedbelow can be selectively utilized with the methods of the presentinvention.

In block 2014 the beverage making cartridge 200 contains a solid gassource 202 or an aroma enhanced solid gas source 202, which throughsublimation emits a gas 704.

In block 2016 the solid gas source is formed by combining, in solidform, at least a carbonating gas and an aroma. In an exemplaryembodiment, for example and not a limitation, as illustrated in at leastFIG. 3, the solid gas source 202A can be carbon dioxide (dry-ice) infrozen form, or other solid gas and an aroma enhanced solid gas source202B can be a ratio mixture of the solid gas source 202A and an aromaprecipitate 218.

In block 2018 the aroma enhanced solid gas source sublimates from solidform emitting a gas 704, which comprises at least a carbonation moleculeand an aroma molecule for dissolving into a beverage diluent liquid. Thebeverage diluent being used to form a beverage in vessel 118.

In block 2020 as illustrated in at least FIG. 16, more than one of a gascan be segregated into separate portions of the gas storage tank 108A-C(in at least FIG. 16). In an exemplary embodiment, different types ofgasses and/or different types of aroma enhanced gases can be segregatedinto separate portions of the gas storage tank 108A-C and kept frommixing. This effectuates that ability to make, for example and not alimitation, a tea with tea aroma enhanced gas and a coffee with coffeearoma enhanced gas, keeping both types of enhanced gas in a storage tanksegregated, from each other, to prevent the different gas types frommixing. An advantage in the present invention is that multiple aromaenhanced gas types can be used in the same beverage making machine 100.

In block 2022 each of the gases in the separate storage portion of thegas storage tank are arranged as to prevent the gas in each of theportions from mixing.

In block 2024 selection of which of the gas from at least one of the gasstorage portion to be dissolved into the beverage diluent can be made.

Referring to FIG. 27B there is illustrated examples of a method ofmaking a beverage. In an exemplary embodiment, for example and not alimitation, and with reference to at least FIGS. 7 and 8, supplycartridges 504 illustrated in at least FIG. 18 can be supplied tooperate a system 100. In this regard, the supply cartridges 504 caninclude beverage making cartridges 200 with include micro ingredients214, solid gas source 202A or aroma enhanced solid gas source 202B,beverage diluent filter 222, and/or other types and kinds of beveragemaking cartridges 200 which comprises other types and kinds of supplies,as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, beverage making cartridges 200 includesupplies which can be in inserted into the beverage making machine 100.As example, a beverage making cartridge 200, which comprises a solid gassource 202 or an aroma enhanced solid gas source 202 can be insertedinto a solid gas source receptacle 110 and allowed to sublimate,emitting a gas 704 which can be captured, stored and utilized topressurize a gas storage tank 108 and subsequently be dissolved by adissolver 104 into a beverage diluent liquid 702. The beverage diluentliquid can then be optionally mixed with other micro ingredients 214 anddispensed through a dispenser 120, to form a beverage in vessel 118.With reference to at least FIGS. 27B and 7-8, the method begins in block2026.

In block 2026 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 comprisingat least one of a micro ingredient 214 and at least one solid gassource, or at least one aroma enhanced solid gas source, or acombination thereof can be inserted into a beverage making beveragemaking machine 100. The method moves to block 2028.

In block 2028 the solid gas source 202 or the aroma enhanced solid gassource 202 is allowed to sublimate emitting gas 704, which can becaptured, stored and utilized to pressurize a gas storage tank 108. Themethod moves to block 2030.

In block 2030 a beverage diluent liquid 702 can be supplied to abeverage diluent receptacle 102. In an exemplary embodiment, for exampleand not a limitation, a beverage diluent liquid 702 can be a liquid suchas water or other liquid that can be mixed with other ingredient to forma beverage. Optionally, the liquid can have gas dissolved into theliquid to form a gas infused beverage. The method moves to block 2032.

In block 2032 the pressurized gas from the gas storage tank can bedissolved, by dissolver 104, into the beverage diluent liquid 702 toform a gas infused beverage diluent liquid. In an exemplary embodiment,for example and not a limitation, the gas can be carbon dioxide (CO2)carbonating the beverage diluent liquid. A target carbonation level inthe range of up to nine volumes, while the beverage diluent liquid 702is stored in the dissolver 104, is preferred, but can vary, as may berequired and/or desired in a particular embodiment. The method moves toblock 2034.

In block 2034 selectively a predefined ratio of at least one of themicro ingredient 214 and the beverage diluent to form a beverage invessel 118. The beverage diluent liquid can be infused with gas or thebeverage diluent liquid non-infused, as may be required and/or desiredin a particular embodiment. In this regard, at least FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate different examples of the beverage diluent liquid fluid flowpathways. The method is then exited.

Referring to FIG. 27B there is illustrated examples of a method ofmaking a beverage. The method begins in block 2036.

In block 2036 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 comprisingat least one of a micro ingredient 214 and at least one solid gassource, or at least one aroma enhanced solid gas source, or acombination thereof can be inserted into a beverage making beveragemaking machine 100. The method moves to block 2038.

In block 2038 a beverage diluent liquid 702 can be supplied to abeverage diluent receptacle 102. In an exemplary embodiment, for exampleand not a limitation, a beverage diluent liquid 702 can be a liquid suchas water or other liquid that can be mixed with other ingredient to forma beverage. Optionally, the liquid can have gas dissolved into theliquid to form a gas infused beverage. The method moves to block 2040.

In block 2040 selectively a predefined ratio of at least one of themicro ingredient 214 and the beverage diluent liquid can be dispensed toform a beverage in vessel 118. The beverage diluent liquid can beinfused with gas or the beverage diluent liquid non-infused, as may berequired and/or desired in a particular embodiment. In this regard, atleast FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate different examples of the beveragediluent liquid fluid flow pathways. The method is then exited.

Referring to FIG. 27B there are also illustrated exemplary embodimentsof methods of making a beverage. Such exemplary embodiments illustratedbelow can be selectively utilized with the methods of the presentinvention.

In block 2042, as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5 and 21-22 the beveragediluent liquid can be cooled by thermally coupling the beverage diluentcooler 148 with the beverage diluent receptacle 102, which is anarrangement that utilizes the cool surface temperature of the solid gassource to cool the beverage diluent liquid.

Referring to FIGS. 28A-B there is illustrated examples of methods ofsupplying consumables to a beverage making machine. With reference toFIG. 28A and at least FIG. 18, in an exemplary embodiment, for exampleand not a limitation, an initial beverage making cartridge 200comprising a solid gas source 202 can be inserted into the beveragemaking machine 100. The solid gas source 202 sublimates producing a gasthat can be captured and pressurized in a gas storage tank 108, the gasstorage tank being arranged in the beverage making machine 100. The gascan be utilized to form a plurality of gas infused beverages. When thegas supply in the gas storage tank 108 reaches a reorder condition areplacement beverage making cartridge 200 having a solid gas source 202can be reordered.

The term “reorder condition”, in the present invention, is intended tomean the predetermined point at which it is recommended that thedepleted supply should be reordered. This depleted supply point can bewhen the product is completely exhausted or more preferably when thereis sufficient supply remaining to accommodate the time it takes for aregularly scheduled periodic trip, by the consumer, to the grocery storeto take place and/or a delivery service to ship the consumer an onlineorder or phone order of the new supply to replace the depleted supply.The beverage making machine 100 can selectively be programmed to triggerthe reorder condition based on the needs and preferences of the consumerincluding, but not limited to, allowing the beverage making machine 100to determine when a supply needs to be reordered and automaticallyplacing a resupply order by way of a global network 604.

Use of the term “no-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service”, in thepresent invention, is intended to mean a delivery service that restrictsor bans the shipment of high pressure gas. Many delivery servicesrestrict or ban such high pressure gas shipments due to safety concerns.In this regard, high pressure gas under certain circumstances, such asover pressure gas tank, excessive heating, gas tank structural defects,and other conditions can cause catastrophic gas tank failure, which canlead to very serious injury and damage. As such, many delivery servicesavoid shipping high pressure gas. An advantage, in the presentinvention, is that a solid gas source 202 under little to no pressureconditions can be shipped to the point of use. At the point of use, thesolid gas source is inserted into the beverage making machine 100 whereit sublimated to pressurize a gas storage tank 108. In this regard, thepresent invention overcomes the limitation of not being able to shiphigh pressure gas by shipping the gas in solid form at no or lowpressure and then generating the high pressure gas when inserted intothe beverage making machine 100. As such the term“no-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service” is used to refer to thepresent invention's ability to overcome the limitation of not being ableto ship high pressure gas by shipping a solid gas source 202 form whicha high pressure gas can be generated therefrom at point of use. Themethod begins in block 3002.

In block 3002 at least one of the beverage making cartridge 200 isinserted into the beverage making machine 100. The method move to block3004.

In block 3004 the solid gas source 202 or the aroma enhanced solid gassource 202 is allowed to sublimate emitting gas 704, which can becaptured, stored and utilized to pressurize a gas storage tank 108. Themethod moves to block 3006.

In block 3006 the gas 704 is used to form a plurality of beverage, whichreduces the supply of gas in the storage tank 108. The method moves toblock 3008.

In block 3008 a low gas and/or micro ingredient, or other low supplylevel can trigger a reorder condition, at least one of the beveragemaking cartridges 200 is reordered by way of a global network 604. Themethod moves to block 3010.

In block 3010 at least one of the beverage making cartridge 200 isreceived, having been shipped to replace the depleted supply of gas byway of a no-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service. The method movesback to block 3002.

In another exemplary embodiment, there is illustrated a method ofsupplying consumables to a beverage making machine 100. With referenceto FIG. 28A and at least FIG. 18, in this exemplary embodiment, forexample and not a limitation, a consumer can provide an inventory listof beverages they would like to make with the beverage making machine100. From the list of beverages the consumer wants to make, a pluralityof beverage making cartridges 200 needed to make the selected beveragescan be determined. By way of a global network 604 the plurality ofbeverage making cartridges 200 can be ordered. The plurality of beveragemaking cartridges 200 can be shipped to the point of use and/or theconsumer's location. Upon delivery at the point of use, the beveragemaking machine 100 can prompt the consumer to insert certain of theplurality of beverage making cartridges 200 into the beverage makingmachine 100. The plurality of beverage making cartridges can includemicro ingredients, filters, solid gas sources, aroma enhanced solid gassources, and other types and/or kinds of supplies, as may be requiredand/or desired in a particular embodiment. With respect to the solid gassources 202, the solid gas sources can be inserted into the beveragemaking machine 100 and utilized to pressurize the gas storage tank,which is arranged to be part of the beverage making machine 100. Themethod begins in block 3012.

In block 3012 the consumer is allowed to provide an inventory list ofbeverages that they would like to make with the beverage making machine100. The method moves to block 3014.

In block 3014 a plurality of beverage making cartridges 200 can bedetermined based in part of the inventory list of beverages the consumerwould like to make with the beverage making machine 100. The methodmoves to block 3016.

In block 3016 by way of a global network 604 an order can be placed forthe plurality of beverages needed. The method moves to block 3018.

In block 3018 the plurality of beverage making cartridges 200 arereceived by way of a no-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service. Themethod moves to block 3020.

In block 3020 the consumer can insert certain of the plurality ofbeverage making cartridges 200, which comprises a solid gas source or anaroma enhanced solid gas source into the beverage making machine 100.The method moves to block 3022.

In block 3022 the solid gas source 202 or the aroma enhanced solid gassource 202 is allowed to sublimate emitting gas 704, which can becaptured, stored, and utilized to pressurize a gas storage tank 108. Themethod is exited.

In another exemplary embodiment, there is illustrated a method ofsupplying consumables to a beverage making machine 100. With referenceto FIG. 28A and at least FIG. 18, in this exemplary embodiment, forexample and not a limitation, at least one of a beverage makingcartridge 200 can be shipped to the point of use and/or the consumer'slocation. At the point of use certain of the beverage making cartridge200 can be inserted into the beverage making machine 100. In thisregard, the beverage making cartridge 200 can include micro ingredients,filters, solid gas sources, aroma enhanced solid gas sources, and othertypes and/or kinds of supplies, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment. With respect to the solid gas sources 202, thesolid gas sources can be inserted into the beverage making machine 100and utilized to pressurize the gas storage tank, which is arranged to bepart of the beverage making machine 100. The gas can then be used tomake a plurality of beverages. The method begins in block 3024.

In block 3024 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 isreceived by way of a no-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service. Themethod moves to block 3026.

In block 3026 the beverage making cartridges 200, which comprises asolid gas source or an aroma enhanced solid gas source can be insertedinto the beverage making machine 100. The method moves to block 3028.

In block 3028 the solid gas source 202 or the aroma enhanced solid gassource 202 is allowed to sublimate emitting gas 704, which can becaptured, stored and utilized to pressurize a gas storage tank 108. Themethod moves to block 3030.

In block 3030 the gas 704 is used to form a plurality of beverage, whichreduces the supply of gas in the storage tank 108. The method is exited.

Referring to FIG. 28B there are also illustrated exemplary embodimentsof methods of supplying consumables to a beverage making machine. Suchexemplary embodiments illustrated below can be selectively utilized withthe methods of the present invention.

In block 3032 a notification to a consumer can be sent to the consumer'swireless device, such as wireless device 602. Such a notification can bea text message and/or instant message, an email, a verbal recordednotification, a symbol that appears on the consumer's wireless device toindicate action is required or information is available, and/or othertypes and kinds of notifications, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment. The method moves to block 3034.

In block 3034 the consumer is allowed to reorder supplies, by way of theconsumer's wireless device, such as wireless device 602. Such a supplyreorder can be a text message and/or instant message, an email,accessing a website, ecommerce transaction, confirming a payment chargeor order acceptance with the consumer's wireless device, providing averbal recorded order and/or approval, responding to a symbol thatappears on the consumer's wireless device to indicate reorder isapproved or an order is placed, and/or other types and kinds of supplyreordering methods and/or reordering mechanisms, as may be requiredand/or desired in a particular embodiment.

In block 3036 a consumer is allowed to reorder by way of the computercontrol 122 that is used to operate the beverage making machine 100, asillustrated in at least FIGS. 7 and 8.

In block 3038 different gas types (enhanced aroma and non-enhanced aromagas types) can be segregated into separate portions of the gas storagetank to prevent the different gas types from mixing.

In block 3040 the solid gas source 202 is frozen carbon dioxide, whichcan optionally be mixed in a predetermined ratio of the frozen carbondioxide and a frozen aroma precipitate.

In block 3042 the gas 704 can be utilized to form a plurality ofbeverages. The use of which reduces the supply of gas in the storagetank 108. The method moves to block 3044.

In block 3044 at least one of the beverage making cartridges 200 can bereordered, by way of a global network 602, when the gas 704 is depleted,triggering a reorder condition. The method moves to block 3046.

In block 3046 at least one of the beverage making cartridges 200 isreceived having been shipped by way of ano-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service. The method moves to block3048.

In block 3048 at least one of the beverage making cartridges 200received is inserted into the beverage making machine 100. In anexemplary embodiment, the beverage making cartridges 200 that contain asolid gas source should preferably be inserted upon receiving them atthe point of use so that the gas, which may already be sublimating,resultant from the solid gas source warming, can be captured and storedin the gas storage tank rather than just venting to the atmosphere.

In block 3050 certain of the beverage making cartridges are removed fromthe beverage making machine after pressurizing the gas storage tank andstored in a refrigerated appliance 402. In an exemplary embodiment, abeverage making cartridge can contain a solid gas source and at leastone of a micro ingredient. Such a beverage making cartridge can beinserted into the beverage making machine to allow the solid gas sourceto sublimate pressurizing the gas storage tank. Once the gas storagetank has been pressurized, the beverage making cartridge 200 can beremoved from the beverage making machine and stored in a refrigeratedappliance 402 to extend the shelf life of the micro ingredient, to coolthe beverage diluent liquid which may have been added to the beveragemaking cartridge, and/or for other reasons, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

In block 3052 the plurality of beverage making cartridges can beutilized to form a plurality of beverages, as may be required and/ordesired in a particular embodiment.

In block 3054 a notification to a consumer can be sent to the consumer'swireless device, such as wireless device 602. Such a notification can bea text message and/or instant message, an email, a verbal recordednotification, a symbol that appears on the consumer's wireless device toindicate action is required or information is available, and/or othertypes and kinds of notifications, as may be required and/or desired in aparticular embodiment.

In block 3056 the consumer is allowed to reorder supplies, by way of theconsumer's wireless device, such as wireless device 602. Such a supplyreorder can be a text message and/or instant message, an email,accessing a website, ecommerce transaction, confirming a payment chargeor order acceptance with the consumer's wireless device, providing averbally recorded order and/or approval, responding to a symbol thatappears on the consumer's wireless device to indicate reorder isapproved or an order is placed, and/or other types and kinds of supplyreordering methods and/or reordering mechanisms, as may be requiredand/or desired in a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 29A-C there is illustrated examples of methods ofmaking a beverage in a beverage making machine 100. In an exemplaryembodiment, the beverage making cartridges can be stored in arefrigerated appliance 402 being removed and inserted into a beveragemaking machine 100 when a beverage needs to be made. The beverage makingcartridges 200 can then be removed from the beverage making machine 100and returned to the refrigerated appliance 402. In this regard, and asbetter illustrated in at least FIG. 10, the beverage making cartridges200 can be chilled in a refrigerated appliance 402 only being removedand inserted in a beverage making machine 100 when a beverage is formed.

There are several advantages to storing the beverage making cartridgesin a refrigerated appliance 402. One such advantage can be chilling thebeverage diluent in a beverage making cartridge in a refrigeratedappliance 402 prior to beverage making. In this regard, when coldbeverage diluent liquid is used in beverage making it is easier toinfuse gas and more refreshing to drink a cold beverage. In an exemplaryembodiment, chilling the beverage diluent liquid approaching 32 degreesFahrenheit, prior to dissolving the gas into the beverage diluentliquid, increases the solubility of the gas into the beverage diluentliquid. Thus allowing higher volumes of gas level to be obtained in ashorter amount of time. In addition, this can cause the gas infusedbeverage diluent liquid to reach dissolved equilibrium and hold the gasinfusion better when dispensed. As such, throughput of producing gasinfused beverage diluent is increased.

Another advantage can be chilling the micro ingredients in a beveragemaking cartridge, in a refrigerated appliance 402, can extend the shelflife of the micro ingredients. In this regard, such sensitive microingredients can include, for example and not a limitation, dairy, soy,fruit based, microbiological sensitive ingredients, and/or other typesand kinds of ingredients that are quickly perishable ingredients whenexposed to unrefrigerated environments for a prolonged period of time,or as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage making cartridge 200 containingonly the solid gas source 202 can be inserted into the beverage makingmachine 100 and be allowed to sublimate and pressurize the gas storagetank 108. Once the gas storage tank has been pressurized the cartridgesuseful function is complete and it can be discarded, recycled, or simplyremain in the beverage making machine. On the other hand, the microingredient containing beverage making cartridges 200 can be stored inthe refrigerated appliance 402 and removed and used with the beveragemaking machine only when needed to form a beverage, then returned to therefrigerated appliance 402. Referring to FIG. 29A, the method begins inblock 4002.

In block 4002 at least one of a first beverage making cartridge 200 canbe inserted into the beverage making machine 100. The first beveragemaking cartridge comprising a solid gas source 202. The solid gas source202 sublimates emitting a gas 704. The method moves to block 4004.

In block 4004 the gas storage tank 108 is pressurized, by way of thesolid gas source 202 emitting gas as it sublimates, in anticipation ofthe beverage making machine 100 being used to make a beverage. Themethod moves to block 4006.

In block 4006 a second beverage making cartridge is stored in arefrigerated appliance 402 separate from the beverage making machine100. The method moves to block 4008.

In block 4008 having pressurized the gas storage tank in the precedingsteps, the beverage making machine 100 is now prepared for making abeverage. The consumer can prepare a beverage by way of the followingsteps, which starts in block 4010.

In block 4010 the second beverage making cartridge 200 can be retrievedfrom the refrigerated appliance. The method moves to block 4012.

In block 4012 the second beverage making cartridge 200 can be insertedinto the beverage making machine 100. The method moves to block 4014.

In block 4014 a supply of beverage diluent liquid 702 can be supplied tothe beverage diluent receptacle 102. The method moves to block 4016.

In block 4016 at least a portion of the gas from the gas storage tankcan be dissolved into the beverage diluent liquid. The method continuesin block 4018.

In block 4018 a predefined ratio of a micro ingredient and the beveragediluent liquid (with or without gas infusion or a combination of both)can be dispensed to form a beverage. The method is then exited.

Referring to FIG. 29A there are also illustrated exemplary embodimentsof methods of making a beverage in a beverage making machine 100. Suchexemplary embodiments illustrated below can be selectively utilized withthe methods of the present invention.

In block 4020 the second beverage making cartridge 200 can be removedfrom the beverage making machine 100. The method moves to block 4022.

In block 4022 the second beverage making cartridge 200 can be returnedto the refrigerated appliance 402.

In block 4024 the second beverage making cartridge 200 can furthercomprise the beverage diluent receptacle for holding the beveragediluent liquid. In this regard, when the beverage diluent liquid issupplied in the beverage diluent receptacle and the beverage makingcartridge comprising the beverage diluent receptacle is stored in therefrigerated appliance 402 the beverage diluent liquid is cooled.

In block 4026 the beverage diluent liquid is chilled while in thebeverage diluent receptacle in the refrigerated appliance 402. In thisregard, when cold beverage diluent liquid is used in beverage making itis easier to infuse gas and more refreshing to drink a cold beverage. Inan exemplary embodiment, chilling the beverage diluent liquidapproaching 32 degrees Fahrenheit, prior to dissolving the gas into thebeverage diluent liquid, increases the solubility of the gas into thebeverage diluent liquid. Thus allowing higher volumes of gas level to beobtained in a shorter amount of time. In addition, this can cause thegas infused beverage diluent liquid to reach dissolved equilibrium andhold the gas infusion better when dispensed. As such, throughput ofproducing gas infused beverage diluent liquid is increased.

In block 4028 the beverage diluent liquid is chilled in the refrigeratedappliance 402. In this exemplary embodiment, the beverage diluent liquidindependent and not being part of the beverage making cartridge can bechilled in a separate container in the refrigerated appliance so thatwhen the beverage diluent liquid is supplied to the beverage makingmachine it is chilled. This helps with the ability to infuse gas intothe beverage diluent liquid as well as provides a chilled beverage.

In block 4030 the solid gas source 202 is frozen carbon dioxide, whichcan optionally be mixed in a predetermined ratio of the frozen carbondioxide and a frozen aroma precipitate.

Referring to FIG. 29B there is illustrated examples of methods of makinga beverage in a beverage making machine 100. In an exemplary embodiment,the beverage making cartridges comprising at least a solid gas sourceand a micro ingredient can be inserted into the beverage making machine100 so that the solids gas source can sublimate emitting a gas that canbe captured and use to pressurize a gas storage tank. Once the solid gassource has completely sublimated (is gone) and the gas storage tankpressurized the beverage making cartridge can be removed from thebeverage making machine and stored in a refrigerated appliance 402separate from the beverage making machine 100. When it is desired tomake a beverage, the beverage making cartridge can be removed from therefrigerated appliance 402 and inserted into a beverage making machine100. The beverage can be formed. The beverage making cartridges 200 canthen be removed from the beverage making machine 100 and returned to therefrigerated appliance 402. In this regard, and as better illustrated inat least FIG. 10, the beverage making cartridges 200 can be chilled in arefrigerated appliance 402 only being removed and inserted in a beveragemaking machine 100 when a beverage is formed. The method begins in block4032.

In block 4032 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 can beinserted into the beverage making machine 100. The first beverage makingcartridge comprising at least one of a solid gas source 202 and at leastone of a micro ingredient. The solid gas source 202 sublimates emittinga gas 704. The method moves to block 4034.

In block 4034 the gas storage tank 108 is pressurized, by way of thesolid gas source 202 emitting gas as it sublimates, in anticipation ofthe beverage making machine 100 being used to make a beverage. Themethod moves to block 4036.

In block 4036 after the solid gas source has sublimated the beveragemaking cartridge 200 can be removed from the beverage making machine100. The method moves to block 4038.

In block 4038 the beverage making cartridge 200 can be stored in arefrigerated appliance 402 separate from the beverage making machine100. The method moves to block 4040.

In block 4040 having previously pressurized the gas storage tank, thebeverage making machine 100 is now prepared for making a beverage. Theconsumer can prepare a beverage by way of the following steps, whichstarts in block 4042

In block 4042 the beverage making cartridge 200 can be retrieved fromthe refrigerated appliance 402. The method moves to block 4044.

In block 4044 the beverage making cartridge 200 can be inserted into thebeverage making machine 100. The method moves to block 4046.

In block 4046 a supply of beverage diluent liquid 702 can be supplied tothe beverage diluent receptacle 102. The method moves to block 4048.

In block 4048 at least a portion of the gas from the gas storage tankcan be dissolved into the beverage diluent liquid. The method continuesin block 4050.

In block 4050 a predefined ratio of a micro ingredient and the beveragediluent liquid (with or without gas infusion or a combination of both)can be dispensed to form a beverage. The method is then exited.

Referring to FIG. 29B there are also illustrated exemplary embodimentsof methods of making a beverage in a beverage making machine 100. Suchexemplary embodiments illustrated below can be selectively utilized withthe methods of the present invention.

In block 4052 the beverage making cartridge 200 can be removed from thebeverage making machine 100. The method moves to block 4054.

In block 4054 the beverage making cartridge 200 can be returned to therefrigerated appliance 402.

In block 4056 the second beverage making cartridge 200 can furthercomprise the beverage diluent receptacle for holding the beveragediluent liquid. In this regard, when the beverage diluent liquid issupplied in the beverage diluent receptacle and the beverage makingcartridge comprising the beverage diluent receptacle is stored in therefrigerated appliance 402 the beverage diluent liquid is cooled.

In block 4058 the beverage diluent liquid is chilled while in thebeverage diluent receptacle in the refrigerated appliance 402. In thisregard, when cold beverage diluent liquid is used in beverage making itis easier to infuse gas and more refreshing to drink a cold beverage. Inan exemplary embodiment, chilling the beverage diluent liquidapproaching 32 degrees Fahrenheit, prior to dissolving the gas into thebeverage diluent liquid, increases the solubility of the gas into thebeverage diluent liquid. Thus allowing higher volumes of gas level to beobtained in a shorter amount of time. In addition, this can cause thegas infused beverage diluent liquid to reach dissolved equilibrium andhold the gas infusion better when dispensed. As such, throughput ofproducing gas infused beverage diluent liquid is increased.

In block 4060 the beverage diluent liquid is chilled in the refrigeratedappliance 402. In this exemplary embodiment, the beverage diluent liquidindependent and not being part of the beverage making cartridge can bechilled in a separate container in the refrigerated appliance so thatwhen the beverage diluent liquid is supplied to the beverage makingmachine it is chilled. This helps with the ability to infuse gas intothe beverage diluent liquid as well as provides a chilled beverage.

In block 4062 the beverage diluent liquid is chilled as it passesthrough the beverage making cartridge. In this regard, the beveragediluent cooler 148 can be utilized to chill the beverage diluent liquidas it passes through the beverage making cartridge as the beverage isbeing formed.

Referring to FIG. 29C there is illustrated examples of methods of makinga beverage in a beverage making machine 100. In an exemplary embodiment,the beverage making cartridges comprising at least one of a microingredient and a beverage diluent receptacle 102. The beverage diluentreceptacle can be filled with a beverage diluent liquid 702 and storedin a refrigerated appliance 402 separate from the beverage makingmachine to chill the beverage diluent liquid, which consequentially canalso extend the shelf life of the micro ingredient. When it is desiredto make a beverage, the beverage making cartridge 200 can be removedfrom the refrigerated appliance 402 and inserted into a beverage makingmachine 100. The beverage can be formed. The beverage making cartridges200 can then be removed from the beverage making machine 100, refilledwith a beverage diluent liquid, and returned to the refrigeratedappliance 402. In this regard, and as better illustrated in at leastFIG. 10, the beverage making cartridges 200 can be chilled in arefrigerated appliance 402 only being removed and inserted in a beveragemaking machine 100 when a beverage is formed. The method begins in block4068.

In block 4068 a beverage making cartridge 200 comprising at least one ofa micro ingredient 214 and a beverage diluent receptacle can have abeverage diluent liquid 702 filled into the beverage diluent receptacle.The method moves to block 4070.

In block 4070 the beverage making cartridge 200 can be stored in arefrigerated appliance 402 separate from the beverage making machine100, wherein the beverage diluent liquid 702 is chilled. The methodmoves to block 4072.

In block 4072 having filled the beverage diluent receptacle withbeverage diluent liquid, placed in a refrigerated appliance 402 to chillthe beverage diluent liquid 702, preparation for making a beverage iscomplete. The consumer can prepare a beverage by way of the followingsteps, which starts in block 4074.

In block 4074 the beverage making cartridge 200 can be retrieved fromthe refrigerated appliance 402. The method moves to block 4076.

In block 4076 the beverage making cartridge 200 can be inserted into thebeverage making machine 100. The method moves to block 4078.

In block 4078 a predefined ratio of a micro ingredient and the beveragediluent liquid can be dispensed to form a beverage. The method is thenexited.

Referring to FIG. 29C there is illustrated examples of methods of makinga beverage in a beverage making machine 100. In an exemplary embodiment,the beverage making cartridges comprising at least a solid gas source, amicro ingredient, and a dissolver can be inserted into the beveragemaking machine 100 so that the solid gas source can sublimate emitting agas that can be captured and use to pressurize a gas storage tank. Oncethe solid gas source has completely sublimated (is gone) and the gasstorage tank pressurized the beverage making cartridge can be removedfrom the beverage making machine and stored in a refrigerated appliance402 separate from the beverage making machine 100. When it is desired tomake a beverage, the beverage making cartridge can be removed from therefrigerated appliance 402 and inserted into a beverage making machine100. The dissolver within the beverage making cartridge 200 can dissolvea portion of the gas into the beverage diluent liquid and the gasinfused beverage diluent liquid can be mixed with the micro ingredientto form the beverage. The beverage making cartridges 200 can then beremoved from the beverage making machine 100 and returned to therefrigerated appliance 402. In this regard, and as better illustrated inat least FIG. 10, the beverage making cartridges 200 can be chilled in arefrigerated appliance 402 only being removed and inserted in a beveragemaking machine 100 when a beverage is formed. The method begins in block4080.

In block 4080 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 can beinserted into the beverage making machines, The beverage makingcartridge comprising at least one of a micro ingredient, a dissolver104, and at least one of a solid gas source that through sublimationemits a gas. The method moves to block 4034 referenced in FIG. 29B,wherein the step in block 4048 of dissolving the gas into the beveragediluent is accomplished by way of the dissolver which is part of thebeverage making cartridge 200 in this exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 29C there is illustrated examples of methods of makinga beverage in a beverage making machine 100. In an exemplary embodiment,the beverage making cartridges comprising at least a solid gas source, amicro ingredient, and a beverage diluent receptacle can be inserted intothe beverage making machine 100 so that the solids gas source cansublimate emitting a gas that can be captured and use to pressurize agas storage tank. Once the solid gas source has completely sublimated(is gone) and the gas storage tank pressurized the beverage makingcartridge can be removed from the beverage making machine, the beveragediluent receptacle filled with a beverage diluent liquid 702, and thebeverage making cartridge 200 can be stored in a refrigerated appliance402 separate from the beverage making machine 100. When it is desired tomake a beverage, the beverage making cartridge can be removed from therefrigerated appliance 402 and inserted into a beverage making machine100. The beverage diluent liquid (with or without gas infusion) can bemixed with the micro ingredient to form the beverage. The beveragemaking cartridges 200 can then be removed from the beverage makingmachine 100 and returned to the refrigerated appliance 402. In thisregard, and as better illustrated in at least FIG. 10, the beveragemaking cartridges 200 can be chilled in a refrigerated appliance 402only being removed and inserted in a beverage making machine 100 when abeverage is formed. The method begins in block 4082.

In block 4082 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 can beinserted into the beverage making machines, The beverage makingcartridge comprising at least one of a micro ingredient, a beveragediluent receptacle 102, and at least one of a solid gas source thatthrough sublimation emits a gas. The method moves to block 4084.

In block 4084 the gas storage tank 108 is pressurized, by way of thesolid gas source 202 emitting gas as it sublimates, in anticipation ofthe beverage making machine 100 being used to make a beverage. Themethod moves to block 4086.

In block 4086 after the solid gas source has sublimated the beveragemaking cartridge 200 can be removed from the beverage making machine100. The method moves to block 4088.

In block 4088 the beverage diluent receptacle within the beverage makingcartridge 200 can be filled with a beverage diluent liquid. The methodmoves to block 4038 referenced in FIG. 29B.

Referring to FIGS. 30A-B there is illustrated examples of methods ofincreasing the retained volume of gas 704 in the beverage after dispenseinto a vessel 118, by mixing a beverage diluent liquid 702 with at leastone of a micro ingredient 214 to form an enhanced beverage diluentliquid. In an exemplary embodiment, it can be desirable to prevent asbest possible the dissolved gas in the beverage diluent liquid 702 frombreaking out and escaping from the beverage upon dispense into thevessel 118. In this regard, pressure change from inside the pressurizedinternal environment of the beverage making machine 100 dissolver 104interconnected components and tubing to the standard pressure andatmospheric conditions of the consumer's vessel 118 is one factor thatcan cause outgassing of the gas 704 from the finished beverage.

One solution, in the present invention, can be blending sweetener and/ornon-nutritive sweetener with the beverage diluent 702 to create anenhanced beverage diluent liquid and then dissolve gas into the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid. An advantage in the present invention is thatthe enhanced beverage diluent liquid when dispensed into the vessel 118holds the gas 704 better. In this regard, resulting in a higherdissolved volume of gas 704 in the beverage, as compared to havingdissolved the gas 704 into the beverage diluent liquid 702 only.

The better the beverage holds the dissolved gas 704 the better andlonger the beverage's sparkling benefits will last and be enjoyed by theconsumer. In addition, for higher dissolved gas volume levels above 3.8,use of enhanced beverage diluent liquid instead of beverage diluentliquid only makes it easier to reach these levels and keep the beveragemaking within the preferred beverage making specifications. Withreference to FIG. 30A, the method begins in block 5002.

In block 5002, there is illustrated a method of making a beverage, in abeverage making machine 100, the method increasing the retained volumeof a gas in the beverage after dispense into a vessel 118, by mixing abeverage diluent liquid 702 with at least one of a micro ingredient 214to form an enhanced beverage diluent liquid, and then dissolving the gas704 into the enhanced beverage diluent liquid versus dissolving the gasinto the beverage diluent liquid 702 only.

The method starts in block 5002 where on inlet into a dissolver 104 apredefined ratio of a beverage diluent liquid 702 can be mixed with atleast one of a micro ingredient 214 to form an enhanced beverage diluentliquid, the micro ingredient 214 being a sweetener or a non-nutritivesweetener or a combination thereof. The method moves to block 5004.

In block 5004 the gas 704 is injected into the dissolver 104 at a gasdissolving pressure to cause the gas 704 to dissolve into the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid.

The term “gas dissolving pressure”, in the present invention, isintended to mean the gas pressure necessary to cause the gas to dissolveinto a liquid. In general, the liquid can be at some nominal pressureand in order to get the gas to dissolve into the liquid, the pressure ofthe gas needs to exceed the nominal pressure of the liquid. As such, thegas dissolving pressure is that pressure, which is need to overcome anynominal liquid pressure and forcible diffuse the gas into the liquid. Inan exemplary embodiment, there may be a minimum gas dissolving pressure,at which the gas begins to dissolve into the liquid and a higher and/ormore preferred gas dissolving pressure that dissolves the desiredvolumes of gas level into the liquid, in a desired time period.Typically, liquid temperature, surface area of the liquid exposed to thegas, gas dissolving pressure, and other factors work together todetermine the average time required to dissolve the gas into the liquidand for the gas infused liquid to reach equilibrium. The method moves toblock 5006.

In block 5006 a predetermined amount of the gas 704 can be dissolvedinto the enhanced beverage diluent liquid. The method moves to block5008.

In block 5008 the enhanced beverage diluent liquid can be mixed with atleast one of a second micro ingredient to form the beverage. The methodmoves to block 5010.

In block 5010 the beverage can be dispensed from the beverage makingmachine 100 into a vessel 118. In this regard, as the beverage leavesthe higher pressure environment of the dissolver 104 and enters standardatmospheric conditions of the vessel 118, the enhanced beverage diluentliquid causes the gas 704 to be retained in the beverage in higherconcentration, instead of being more easily released to the atmosphere,such that the volumes of the gas 704 in the beverage, after dispense, isincreased versus having dissolved the gas into the beverage diluentliquid 702 only. The routine is exited.

Referring to FIG. 30A there are also illustrated exemplary embodimentsof methods of increasing the retained volume of gas 704 in the beverageafter dispense into a vessel, by mixing a beverage diluent liquid 702with at least one of a micro ingredient 214 to form an enhanced beveragediluent liquid. Such exemplary embodiments illustrated below can beselectively utilized with the methods of the present invention.

In block 5012 at least one of the beverage making cartridges 200 can beinserted into the beverage making machine 100. In an exemplaryembodiment, the beverage making cartridge 200 can comprise a solid gassource 202 that through sublimation emits a gas 704. The method moves toblock 5014.

In block 5014 a gas storage tank 108 can be pressurized and arranged tostore the gas 704.

In block 5016 the beverage having a selectable target gas volumes levelcan be created by diluting volumetrically the enhanced beverage diluentliquid from the dissolver 14 which comprises the gas 704, with thebeverage diluent liquid 702 which is absence the gas 704, to form theblended beverage diluent liquid having the selected target gas volumeslevel.

In block 5018 the supply of micro ingredients 214 can be stopped priorto stopping of the supply of the beverage diluent liquid 702 to cleanthe beverage making machine 100 fluid pathways, in preparation of makinga subsequent beverage.

In block 5020 the enhanced beverage diluent liquid 702 and the gas 704inside the dissolver 104 is allowed to reach equilibrium. The methodmoves 5022.

In block 5022 the enhanced beverage diluent liquid 702 is released fromthe dissolver.

In block 5024 the gas, as force, is used to eject the gas 704 infusedenhanced beverage diluent liquid from the dissolver 104.

In block 5026 the beverage diluent liquid 702 can be chilled approaching32 degrees Fahrenheit prior to dissolving the gas 704 into the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid, wherein solubility of the gas 704 into theenhanced beverage diluent liquid is increased.

In block 5028 the dissolver is a gas permeable hollow fiber tube.

In block 5030 the dissolver is a tank style dissolver.

Referring to FIG. 30B and with reference to at least FIG. 12 there isillustrated examples of increasing the retained volume of gas 704 in thebeverage after dispense into a vessel, by mixing a beverage diluentliquid 702 with at least one of a micro ingredient 214 to form anenhanced beverage diluent liquid. The method begins in block 5032.

In block 5032 there is illustrated a method of making a beverage, in abeverage making machine 100, the method increasing the retained volumeof gas 704 in the beverage after dispense into a vessel 118, by mixing abeverage diluent liquid 702 with at least ones of a micro ingredient 214to form an enhanced beverage diluent liquid, and then dissolving a gas704 into the enhanced beverage diluent liquid versus dissolving the gas704 into the beverage diluent liquid 702 only. In this regard, combiningthe beverage diluent liquid with the sweetener and/or the non-nutritivesweetener creates a new matrix of molecules that the gas can diffuseinto. This new matrix holds the gas molecules, in the combined liquid,better than trying to infuse the beverage diluent liquid only.

The method starts in block 5032 where a beverage type containing asweetener, a non-nutritive sweetener, or a combination thereof, can beselected wherein two of the micro ingredient 214 can be the sweetenerand the non-nutritive sweetener and the beverage making machine 100.

The beverage making machine can further comprise a dissolver 104 whichfurther comprises a gas inlet 156, a sweetener inlet 164, anon-nutritive sweetener inlet 166, a beverage diluent liquid inlet 154,at least a first dissolving chamber 152B, and a second dissolvingchamber 152D each having an inlet end 168 for receiving the sweetener,the non-nutritive sweetener and the beverage diluent liquid, and anoutlet end 170 where the sweetener, the non-nutritive sweetener, thebeverage diluent liquid 702, and combinations thereof can exit thedissolving chamber, each of the first and second dissolving chamber152B/152D is partitioned and arranged to prevent mixing between thefirst and second dissolving chamber 152B/152D, each of the first andsecond dissolving chamber 152B/152D is also arranged to allow the gas704 supplied, from the gas inlet 156, to permeate liquids in each of thefirst and second dissolving chamber 152B/152D. The method moves to block5034 and block 5044. Block 5034 is the path for when the beverageselected contains the sweetener and block 5044 is the path for when thebeverage selected contains the non-nutritive sweetener. In the casewhere the beverage selected contains a combination of sweetener andnon-nutritive sweetener then both pathway 5034 and 5044 are followed.

In block 5034 in the case the beverage type selected contains thesweetener. The method moves to block 5036 otherwise the method moves toblock 5040.

In block 5036 on inlet into the dissolver, a predefined ratio of thebeverage diluent liquid 702 from the beverage diluent liquid inlet 154is mixed with the sweetener from the sweetener inlet 164 to form theenhanced beverage diluent liquid. Combining the beverage diluent liquidwith the sweetener creates a new matrix of molecules that the gas candiffuse into. This new matrix holds the gas molecules, in the combinedliquid, better than trying to infuse the beverage diluent liquid only.The method moves to block 5038.

In block 5038 the fluid flow of the enhanced beverage diluent liquid isdirected into the first dissolving chamber 152B. The method continues inblock 5040.

In block 5040 the gas 704 is injected into the dissolver 104 at a gasdissolving pressure to cause the gas to dissolve into the enhancedbeverage diluent liquid. The method moves to block 5042.

In block 5042 the beverage is dispensed from the beverage making machineinto a vessel. In this regard, as the beverage leaves the higherpressure environment of the dissolver 104 and enters standardatmospheric conditions of the vessel 118, the enhanced beverage diluentliquid causes the gas 704 to be retained in the beverage in higherconcentration, instead of being more easily released to the atmosphere,such that the volumes of the gas 704 in the beverage, after dispense, isincreased versus having dissolved the gas into the beverage diluentliquid 702 only. The routine is exited.

In block 5044 in the case the beverage type selected contains thenon-nutritive sweetener. The method moves to block 5046 otherwise themethod moves to block 5040.

In block 5046 on inlet into the dissolver 104, a predefined ratio of abeverage diluent liquid 702 from the beverage diluent liquid inlet 154can be mixed with the non-nutritive sweetener from the non-nutritivesweetener inlet 166 to form the enhanced beverage diluent liquid.Combining the beverage diluent liquid with the non-nutritive sweetenercreates a new matrix of molecules that the gas can diffuse into. Thisnew matrix holds the gas molecules, in the combined liquid, better thantrying to infuse the beverage diluent liquid only. The method moves toblock 5048.

In block 5048 the fluid flow of the enhanced beverage diluent liquid canbe directed into the second dissolving chamber 152D. The method moves toblock 5040.

Referring to FIGS. 31A-B there is illustrated examples of methods ofmaking a beverage in a beverage making machine 100. In an exemplaryembodiment, beverages having a predetermined level of dissolved gas canbe effectuated by combining beverage diluent liquid fluid flows (withand without gas infusion) with at least one of a micro ingredient flowto control the volumes of gas in a formed beverage. Illustrated in atleast FIG. 11 are multiple incoming liquid streams that can comprisemicro ingredients, beverage diluent liquids comprising with and withoutgas, and/or other types and kinds of liquid streams, as may be requiredand/or desired in a particular embodiment. The streams converge on thedispenser 120 or a mixer 150. The mixed streams can then be dispensed toform the beverage having a selectable level of dissolved gas into avessel 118.

Referring to FIG. 31A, with reference also to at least FIG. 11, in anexemplary embodiment, a method of making a beverage comprising a gas ina beverage making machine 100 begins in block 6002.

In block 6002 a gas storage tank 108 can be pressurized and arranged tostore a gas. The method moves to block 6004.

In block 6004 a beverage diluent liquid can be supplied into a dissolver104. The method moves to block 6006.

In block 6006 by way of the dissolver 104, a portion of the gas 704 canbe dissolved into the beverage diluent liquid at a minimum dissolver gasvolumes level. The method moves to block 6008.

In block 6008 a blended beverage diluent liquid can be created having aselectable target gas volumes level by diluting volumetrically thebeverage diluent liquid from the dissolver 104 comprising the gas, withthe beverage diluent liquid 702 which is absence the gas 704, to formthe blended beverage diluent liquid having the selected target gasvolumes level. The method moves to block 6010.

In block 6010 a predefined ratio of a micro ingredient and the blendedbeverage diluent liquid can be dispensed to form a beverage having theselected target gas volumes level. The method is exited.

Referring to FIG. 31A, with reference also to at least FIG. 11, inanother exemplary embodiment, a method of making a beverage comprising agas in a beverage making machine 100 begins in block 6012.

In block 6012 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 can beinserted into the beverage making machine 100, the beverage makingcartridge 200 comprising at least one of a micro ingredient 214 and asolid gas source 202 that through sublimation emits a gas. The methodmoves to block 6002.

Referring to FIG. 31A, with reference also to at least FIG. 11, inanother exemplary embodiment, a method of making a beverage comprising agas in a beverage making machine 100 begins in block 6014.

In block 6014 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 can beinserted into the beverage making machine 100, the beverage makingcartridge 200 comprising at least one of a micro ingredient 214, a solidgas source 202 that through sublimation emits a gas 704, and a dissolver104. The method moves to block 6002.

Referring to FIGS. 31A-B there are also illustrated exemplaryembodiments of methods of making a beverage comprising a gas in abeverage making machine 100. Such exemplary embodiments illustratedbelow can be selectively utilized with the methods of the presentinvention.

In block 6016 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 can beinserted into the beverage making machine 100, the beverage makingcartridge 200 comprising at least one of the micro ingredient 214.

In block 6018 at least one of a beverage making cartridge 200 can beinserted into the beverage making machine 100, the beverage makingcartridge 200 comprising a gas source portion 228 comprising a solid gassource 202 that through sublimation emits the gas 704.

In block 6020 the beverage diluent liquid 702 can be introduced into thegas permeable hollow fiber tube chamber 104 (in at least FIG. 12), thegas permeable hollow fiber tube chamber 104 receiving a fixed volume ofthe beverage diluent liquid 702. The method moves to block 6022.

In block 6022 the gas 704 can be injected, at a gas dissolving pressure,into the gas permeable hollow fiber tube chamber 104 (in at least FIG.12), to obtain the minimum dissolver gas volumes level. The method movesto block 6024.

In block 6024 the beverage diluent liquid 702 and the gas 704 inside thegas permeable hollow fiber tube 104 (in at least FIG. 12) are allowed toreach equilibrium. The method moves to block 6026.

In block 6026 the gas infused beverage diluent liquid is released fromthe gas permeable hollow fiber tube chamber 104 (in at least FIG. 12).

In block 6028 the gas 704, as force, can be used to eject the gasinfused beverage diluent liquid from the gas permeable hollow fiber tubechamber (in at least FIG. 12).

In block 6030 the beverage diluent liquid 702 can be chilled approaching32 degrees Fahrenheit prior to dissolving the gas 704 into the beveragediluent liquid 702, wherein solubility of the gas 704 into the beveragediluent liquid 702 is increased.

In block 6032 the minimum dissolver 104 gas volumes level is greaterthan four and the selectable target gas volumes level is betweenone-half gas volumes and five gas volumes.

In block 6034 the predetermined target gas 704 volumes level is betweenone-half gas volumes and five gas volumes.

In block 6036 the minimum dissolver gas volumes level is in the range ofup to nine.

The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented insoftware, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof.

As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can beincluded in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computerprogram products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The mediahas embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code meansfor providing and facilitating the capabilities of the presentinvention. The article of manufacture can be included as a part of acomputer system or sold separately.

Additionally, at least one program storage device readable by a machine,tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable bythe machine to perform the capabilities of the present invention can beprovided.

The flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be manyvariations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) describedtherein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Forinstance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps maybe added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered apart of the claimed invention.

While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, itwill be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in thefuture, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall withinthe scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construedto maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A beverage making machine comprising: abeverage making cartridge comprising a solid gas source that, throughsublimation, emits an aroma enhanced gas, wherein the solid gas sourcecomprises a ratio of a frozen aroma and a second solid gas source; a gasstorage tank arranged to store the aroma enhanced gas; a beveragediluent receptacle for receiving a beverage diluent liquid; a dissolveradapted to dissolve a portion of the aroma enhanced gas, from the gasstorage tank, into the beverage diluent liquid; and a dispenserselectively dispensing a predefined ratio of a beverage ingredient andthe beverage diluent liquid with the dissolved aroma enhanced gas toform a beverage.
 2. The beverage making machine of claim 1, wherein thearoma is captured from vapor release during a preparation process forcoffee, tea, or citrus.
 3. The beverage making machine of claim 2,wherein the preparation process is brewing, fermenting, or squeezing aningredient.
 4. The beverage making machine of claim 1, wherein the aromais a sweetness enhancing aroma.
 5. The beverage making machine of claim1, wherein the beverage ingredient is packaged in the beverage makingcartridge.
 6. The beverage making machine of claim 1, wherein thedissolver is configured to dissolve up to nine volumes of the aromaenhanced gas into the beverage diluent liquid.
 7. The beverage makingmachine of claim 1, wherein the dissolver is further configured to holdthe beverage diluent liquid at a multiple of atmospheric pressure for atime period to allow the aroma enhanced gas to dissolve into thebeverage diluent liquid and reach equilibrium.
 8. The beverage makingmachine of claim 1, where the beverage comprises between two and fivevolumes of the aroma enhanced gas.
 9. The beverage making machine ofclaim 1, wherein the beverage making cartridge comprises a one-way ventconfigured to allow the aroma enhanced gas to escape the cartridge whilepreventing air from entering the package through the one-way vent. 10.The beverage making machine of claim 9, wherein the beverage makingcartridge further comprises an insulation material that seals the solidgas source to moderate a rate of sublimation of the solid gas source.11. The method of claim 1, where the formed beverage comprises betweentwo and five volumes of the aroma enhanced gas.
 12. A method of making abeverage in a beverage making machine, the method comprising: insertinga beverage making cartridge into the beverage making machine, thebeverage making cartridge comprising a solid gas source that, throughsublimation, emitting an aroma enhanced gas, wherein the solid gassource comprises a ratio of a frozen aroma and a second solid gassource; pressurizing a gas storage tank by sublimation of the solid gassource, the gas storage tank being arranged to store the aroma enhancedgas; supplying a beverage diluent liquid into a dissolver; dissolving,by way of the dissolver, a portion of the aroma enhanced gas into thebeverage diluent liquid at a dissolver gas volume level; dispensingselectively a predefined ratio of a beverage ingredient and the beveragediluent liquid with the dissolved aroma enhanced gas to form a beverage.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the aroma is captured from vaporrelease during a preparation process for coffee, tea, or citrus.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the preparation process is brewing,fermenting, or squeezing an ingredient.
 15. The method of claim 11,wherein the aroma is a sweetness enhancing aroma.
 16. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the beverage ingredient is packaged in the beveragemaking cartridge.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the dissolver gasvolume level is up to nine volumes of the aroma enhanced gas in thebeverage diluent liquid.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein dissolvingthe portion of the aroma enhanced gas comprises holding the beveragediluent liquid at a multiple of atmospheric pressure for a time periodto allow the aroma enhanced gas to dissolve into the beverage diluentliquid and reach equilibrium.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein thebeverage making cartridge comprises a one-way vent configured to allowthe aroma enhanced gas to escape the cartridge while preventing air fromentering the package through the one-way vent.
 20. The method of claim12, wherein the second solid gas source is dry ice.